Hi, my names Paul a 62 Yr old male having just gone through bowl cancer surgery as a result of blood found in my fit test. I can tell you that at 90 Yr old, the surgeons will not want to do a colonoscopy. The moviprep you take the day before is not pleasant, the colonoscopy is not pain free or without risk. You can get anaesthetic before hand, but as I was driving I refused it. The alternative is an MRI and a CT scan. These will show any anomalies in the bowl and any cell malformation. But, these scans do not diagnose cancer, you would need a biopsy to do that via a colonoscopy probably. If they do find cancer, it's a matter of debate what to do because of your age. A scan as described above is pain free, and conclusions can be drawn from it  but again they prefer biopsies to be sure. PUSH for a scan via your GP, that's the first step, then take it from there.

Regards Paul 

Hi Paul, hope you are recovering well, do you know what your fit test result was?

Hi Dennis, 

Thanks for reply. I've had a mid rectal tumour cut out, it was bigger and further down than anticipated, instead of having a low anterior resection, I had an ultra low anterior resection. I have a temporary ileostomy bag on my right,  with a view to reverse it it due course (another operation). I have had hospital bug c-diff, urinary infection, trouble passing water, ( have to self catheter 4 times a day), and not to mention sexual malfunction. It's been a nightmare. In hind sight, I wish I had the cancer cut out, then a permanent bag put on my left hand side, on the end of the colon. I don't know my fit reading, but I didn't see blood in my faces, but the tumour was believed to be over 10 years old. So the level to me is immaterial,  it's what's inside that counts. And in any case one 2 years previous I passed. They are only a guide, not that accurate. CT AND MRI is needed. Hope you get seen and sorted, again nhs upto eyes in this topic, but government not coming forward with manpower.

Keep in touch, it's good to talk to others to get their experience and thoughts.

Regards Paul

Hi Dennis,

I just wanted to say hello.  I am 40 years old and currently awaiting a colonoscopy appointment for a positive qfit test (it was 47).  I've now been waiting for 5 weeks.  I had a gastroscopy (down the throat) to check for internal bleeding as I did have blood in my stools (black and tarry) and also some blood in vomit so they initially thought it was a tear in my esophagous so sent me for the gastroscopy and did the qfit as a "just in case" type thing.  At my gastroscopy they found severe erosion of my stomach, a large amount of bile in my stomach (which supposedly isn't supposed to be there?) and ulcers which they took biopsy of.  They have put me on PPI medicine to help with all of this.  It was at that appointment that they gave my qfit test results and said it would be an "urgent colonoscopy appointment" but that was 5 weeks today.  Still no biopsy results and still No colonoscopy appointment so perhaps despite it being classed as positive (anything over 10 with symptoms) it is still under a threshold of not being "urgent".  It's possible the consultant will want to discuss any symptoms you may have and then see which type of diagnostic test would suit you best?  Did they say how long until you get the consultants appointment?  I know the waiting is tough.  I wish you well.

Sarah xx

Hello Sarah, I have been fortunate to have seen a consultant last week, no colonoscopy or a ct with gas into the colon, for me.

various health conditions make this not be an option for me, I have heart failure and limited mobility.

I have an appointment for a regular CT scan on Wednesday, but no special preparation needed.

I don't know when I will get any results, I do hope your appointment comes soon for you.

Dennis I'm glad to hear you are getting sorted out at last with a scan instead of a colonoscopy .I hope it all goes well for you  Best Wishes Jenny .

Hi Dennis,

I am so glad you have seen a consultant and things are moving quickly for you.  Good luck with your scan on Wednesday I hope it all comes back nice and clear for you.

Sarah 

I had the ct scan today, they said I should hear results within two weeks.

dennis2411, how did you get on, I ask as my 80 year old husband had his stomach out in Jan, since then he’s had a FIT test that’s come back positive (21.5 if I remember right), he can’t have the prep drink as it would be to much for him, so his CNS stomach nurse has suggested a CTC scan with an enema. Is the scan just a normal scan? How did you get on, I hope it went ok and all is fine x Sue 

Hello SueCC and thanks for posting, 

As he hasn't posted for a while, I am not sure if Dennis will reply so I am going to.

I can't be sure exactly what is planned for your husband but a CT scan (computerised tomography) is a normal sort of scan, you can read about it at this link, Sometimes a contrast medium, given by mouth or into a vein is used in CT scans to show things up more clearly. This might be the plan with an enema beforehand to clear out as much of the bowel as possible. 

CT scans are also used in a test called CT colonography which you can read about here. But with this, some bowel preparation is needed so I don't think this is what is planned. 

I hope your husband doesn't have to wait too long to find out what lies behind the positive FIT test.

Give us a ring if you want to talk anything over on Freephone 0808 800 4040. We are around weekdays, 9-5. 

Best wishes,

Julia

Thanks for the reply Julia, most helpful, since then he’s done another FIT test that’s come back 63.3 so I’m starting to worry a bit now, as I said he had stomach cancer and total Gastrectomy in Jan, kidney cancer, kidney out 5 years ago, lymphoma, just done 12 radiotherapy’s. He definitely can’t drink the prep, a cup of tea every hour or so is about it, I’m glad that there’s something else that can be done though and thanks for replying x

Thanks for the reply Julia, most helpful, since then he’s done another FIT test that’s come back 63.3 so I’m starting to worry a bit now, as I said he had stomach cancer and total Gastrectomy in Jan, kidney cancer, kidney out 5 years ago, lymphoma, just done 12 radiotherapy’s. He definitely can’t drink the prep, a cup of tea every hour or so is about it, I’m glad that there’s something else that can be done though and thanks for replying x