19 is very barely positive. The cutoff for positive is 10, but many people get results in the 100s. That means there was a tiny bit of blood in your stool, which could have been caused by anything and is unlikely to be serious, most likely a hemorrhoid or a little fissure somewhere.

I am waiting to get another colonoscopy done but no date yet,  how can the two colonoscopies done 12 and 14 months ago which showed nothing have both been wrong!   The consultant said i didn’t have visible haemorrhoids when he examined me but this has all started since my haemorrhoids were banded 4 weeks ago 

Hello and thanks for your post,

A positive FIT means blood has been found hidden in your poo but the test doesn't say what is causing the bleeding.

Several things can cause bleeding from inside the bowel, such as inflammatory bowel diseases and polyps which are benign (non cancerous) growths as well as cancer.

A result of 19 is still relatively low but normally doctors will want to do further investigations to rule cancer out.

A colonoscopy is the best way to assess the bowel as the doctors can visually look at the bowel and take biopsies of any areas that they have concerns about. Polyps are common and may be the cause of your bleeding.

Doctors doing the colonoscopies are highly skilled and may well have performed this procedure on other women who have had hysterectomies. You may find it helpful to discuss your concerns and anxieties with your GP.

We do have some information on our website about other tests that can be done to rule cancer out. Have a look here

Do remember that bowel screening helps prevent cancer and also helps identify cancer at an early stage when it is easier to treat. 

Try if you can not to overthink it for now. 

If you feel that it would be helpful to chat through any of this with one of the helpline nurses then you are welcome to give us a ring.

Our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are here Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

All the best,

Catherine

Hello and thanks for posting again,

Do discuss this all with your consultant when they see you. A colonoscopy is the best way to visually view  the bowel.

I am not sure why you had colonoscopies performed 12 and 14 months ago. Perhaps your consultant can throw some light on why they were not able to identify anything when they saw you at 12 and 14 months. There may have been nothing there and there may still be nothing there but it is always best to talk through your concerns with them as we only hear half the picture.

Not every test is 100% accurate but it is the best test to look at the bowel and help to rule out cancer.

Do ring us if you want to talk this through. Our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are here Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

All the best,

Catherine