Do not do what I did. I totally freaked out, did the Google thing. Panic attack, off work for weeks. My reading was higher than yours. I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy. Did not have a tumor but I did have polyps. I don't know if they cancerous. I had  diverticulitis and internal piles. My situation was prompted by rapid loss of weight. Which I'm waiting for the results of a CT scan and specific blood test, which after three have still not arrived. I know what you are going through. I hope you have a good outcome. 

Yes, I've gone through everything you are going through. It's a horrible place to be in. And all the don't panic by well meaning friends and family does not help. My life is literally on hold. I don't think I'm going to have a happy ending, the receptionist said the doctor is reviewing my results of the cancer blood test I've had and he couldn't tell me anymore. I had to get sleeping pills cos I just couldn't sleep. I pray you have positive outcome. 

If it helps I am a medical receptionist and we are clinically not allowed to comment on results, good or bad, it’s most likely sitting in his task pile waiting for review. GPs will flag anything that they have looked at and are concerned about and the reception will have seen the status and booked a consult accordingly. Thinking of you 

So if my CT scan and cancer blood test confirm I have cancer, will they tell me over the phone? Or will they call me in? Because I'd rather not be told that over the phone. Again, I hope you'll be okay. 

Hello mumof4uk and thank you for posting,

Waiting for tests and test results can be a stressful and anxious time.

The FIT test as you know looks for hidden blood in the poo which tells the doctors whether or not further tests such as a colonoscopy are needed. The poo samples are numbered and anything above 10 is considered a positive test (blood has been found). Although yours reads as high at 400 this is just confirming there is a lot of blood this does not mean this is more serious than a low number.

Whilst the doctors are ruling out a possible cancer they are looking for other things such as haemorrhoids (piles) diverticular disease (wear and tear of the bowel) and polyps. Polyps are very common, and although polyps can be cancerous, most are not.

It is worth knowing that most people with a positive FIT will not have cancer.

The difficulty is no one can say what has caused your symptoms until you have further tests. Easier said than done but try not to overthink things and if you can stay away from the internet as this cannot say what your situation is. Some people find it helpful to distract themselves by carrying on with their daily activities.

I hope this helps in some way. If you would like to speak with one of our nurses on the helpline we are available between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday and the freephone number to call is 0808 800 4040.

Take care,

Jemma

Hi Stickeyv,

I am sorry to learn you too are also going through tests, this must also be a stressful and anxious time for you.

I am unsure what is meant by a 'cancer blood test' as there isn't a specific cancer blood test. Certain markers can be looked at which are found in blood tests when diagnosing or treating cancer but these can be raised for various reasons not necessarily cancer.

It depends on the hospital and the consultant how they give a diagnosis whether or not it is cancer. You also cannot say whether it is cancer or not from the type of appointment you have been given whether it is face-to-face or over the phone.

I hope you do not have to wait too long before you get your results. If you would also like to talk things through with one of our nurses please feel free to give us a call.

Take care,

Jemma

Thank you so much for replying, that helps hugely, I just heard the number and knew the normal range and panicked. Thanks again for your time x 

Okay, I didn't see this. I thought there was certain blood test that looked for cancer! Because I was sent for a blood test as well as the CT scan, I assumed that was a blood test that looked for cancer. Thank you for clarifying. If there was something not right, wouldn't I be told about it? Thank you. 

Hi and thank you for your further post,

If you have been given a consultant and have their name, it would be worth checking with their secretary to see if the results are available and if they can give you an idea of when you might receive them.

I am unsure when you had your scan and blood test. If anything has been found you would have hopefully heard from the hospital as soon as possible, but this might depend on whether or not there are any sort of delays at the hospital. Generally, you would expect results 2-4 weeks after an urgent scan.

I am sorry, I realise there is uncertainty and that I cannot give you a clear answer.

It might also be worth checking with your GP to see if they have had any results.

I hope you get to hear soon, in the meantime please feel free to give our nurses a call if you would like to talk things through,

Take care,

Jemma