Hello and thanks for your post

A positive stool test (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. Although bowel cancer can cause bleeding, there is a good chance that something else is going on . However, your GP may want you to have more tests to find out. They may arrange a colonoscopy where they can see inside the bowel to find the cause of the bleeding.

I do hope that you know more soon. Easier said than done but try and keep an open mind and not to overthink it. 

You are welcome to ring and chat through any of this with one of the helpline nurses.We are here Monday to Friday 9 am to 5  pm and our helpline number is Freephone 0808 800 4040.

Best wishes,

Celene

Hi I’ve just read your post and I’m going through the same as you so I know exactly how you feel. I had a positive FIT test and also bowel thickening so I’m extremely worried. I have an appointment next Thursday but I feel ill with worry. It’s so difficult to carry on as normal isn’t it? Nice to speak to someone who’s going through the same.

Sorry meant to reply to Hippolass! That’s the state I’m in!

Celene, I really do appreciate you taking the time to answer. I have a phone call consultation on Tuesday, I believe that is to chat about my symptoms and then to arrange the colonoscopy and then hopefully the wait won't be too long. Thank you so much for replying. 

Hi Rosielee I'm so sorry that you are also experiencing this awful time. Its being in limbo that really gnaws away at the brain cells doesn't it. The waiting plays on your mind. I have a phone call conversation booked for Wednesday morning and then I guess I will know more. Is your appointment to be seen or on the phone next Thursday. Good luck with it. x

Hi yes the waiting is awful - it’s on my mind 24/7! Last night I hardly slept so feel  worse today. Hopefully if I get a good night’s sleep tonight I will feel a bit more positive tomorrow! My appointment on Thursday is at the hospital - I think I’ll probably end up having an endoscopy and a colonoscopy with my symptoms. My FIT test result was 129 / is yours as high as that? I also have bowel thickening as well so I’m really scared. Good luck for Wednesday - let me know how you get on x

I wasn't given a number. It all came about due to allergy testing, with a full blood MOT, this came back with a very low ferritin level of 11, which then triggered the GP asking me to do a stool sample, which was on Monday and yesterday he rang to say it was a positive sample as blood was found. I haven't lost weight, I have no pain in my stomach but I do have a very uncomfortable polyp on the entrance to my back passage. This was examined about 6 months ago and the GP said it looked fine and the stool sample I had to do last year, as I hit 60 was also fine, so I'm bewildered and shocked that all this has come back with such a bang and so quickly, just from an allergy test! Please keep me posted how you get on. xx