Cancer Research UK main site

19.8 FIT test

Sarah1b
Offline

Hi , I didn’t know where else to go, I’m 43 and recently had bloods and a FIT test either returned a result 19.8, I was told Xmas eve by my gp who said he would refer on a 2 week urgent, I’ve been fretting since and in panic, my grandad had bowel cancer, my nan had stomach cancer, my aunty had bowel cancer! I’m so worried! 

  • Offline

    Hi. Sorry to hear you are dealing with this. But as you probably know, the FIT only tests for blood in your stool and many things can cause that. It could be hemorrhoids or a fissure or ulcerative colitis or Crohn's or diverticulitis or an infection or a polyp or cancer or probably a whole load of things I've never even heard of.

    With a result of 19.8, there isn't even that much blood. People get results in the 100s. With a result like that, I'd say there's a good chance it's something like hemorrhoids or a fissure. Especially at your age. 

    I had rectal bleeding when I was 40 and while I didn't have a positive FIT, the consultant said that at my age the odds of cancer were "less than 1%" and I would be "the unluckiest person in the world" if that turned out to be the explanation and he said that a FIT probably would be positive and that wouldn't be anything to be too concerned about.

    I know any chance of cancer is scary and especially with a family history, but the odds are probalby in your favour.

    Hope you get good news

  • Offline

    I had one twenty months ago,like yourself it was above 10 had a colonoscopy nothing showed up,so i wouldn't worry to much..Unfortunately for me i've just ha some bloods done showing very low iron which could be signs of bleeding somewhere so i'm waiting on another FIT test results i should get tmorrow,now unless they missed something the forst time round it seems unlikely to be anything too serious but you just nevrr know..The worst part is the prep,and i would definitey use the gas and air i didn't think there would be any pain si i learnt a hard lesson there..

  • Offline in reply to pendulum

    Thank you, my bloods showed low iron too, guess it’s just waiting game now! Thank you 

  • Offline in reply to Sarah1b

    Low iron in women is quite common menstrual cycle etc,in men it is not common and it can be more related to blood in intestines or stomach...so i wouldn't worry about the iron marker too much mine is 27 when it should be 45 at least bt my diet is full of iron so a bit concerning.

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.