Receiving an abnormal result can be worrying but try if you can to not focus on the number.
A positive FIT test is not uncommon but only a few of these will turn out to be cancer.
Having a positive test shows that you may have bleeding occurring somewhere in your gastrointestinal tract.
This blood loss could be due to ulcers, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, haemorrhoids (piles), swallowed blood from bleeding gums or nosebleeds, or it could be due to early bowel cancer. Anything that sticks out into the intestine, like a polyp or tumour, and is rubbed against by the faeces as it passes through, has the potential to bleed now and again.
Faecal Immunochemical Test FIT here uses antibodies to detect human haemoglobin (blood) in the blood. It is mainly the test used for bowel screening of otherwise healthy adults over the age of 60 with no symptoms to check for blood that cannot be seen. A positive test often leads to further investigations such as a colonoscopy to check for polyps and other possible causes for the bleeding.
Try if you can for now not to over think it all and take one day at a time.
Some people say it helps to keep busy so you can focus on other things until you know more.
If you want to ring and speak to a helpline nurse then you are more then welcome to do so. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
