Emotional Angry Wreck - stool sample didn't pick up husband's cancer last year. He passed away in February. Has this happened to anyone else?

hello, my name is Laurie

I am new to this site, My husband sadly passed away Feb. 27, 2025, he was 63 years of age.  I am still very angry, my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in September 2025, he did the stool sample test that they send out 7 months prior, came back all clear. The Specialist said he had the cancer for a long time, I want to know why the test did not pick up any signs of cancer, then you read the fine print at the bottom which most people don't read as they are only interested in the words no necessary tests all clear, at the bottom it states they are not accurate and does not mean you do not have cancer.  I would like to know how many others out there lost their life because of these test that are to me like Russian roulette , it might pick it up it might not, this is why I am so angry.  I would like to know if anyone else has had this experience.

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  • Hello Laurie

    I'm so very sorry to hear about the loss of your much-loved husband. It's understandable that you're feeling angry and upset about all that has happened and I hope that you have been well supported by family and friends while you try to navigate your journey with grief. 

    The Bowel Cancer UK website has some information about the screening process, which says one of the risks of bowel cancer screening is that "no screening programme is 100% accurate. Cancer may be missed if the tumour was not bleeding when you took the test".  I'm sorry that I'm not able to answer your question about how many people's cancer diagnoses may have been missed despite carrying out a screening test. It's certainly worth getting in touch with Bowel Cancer UK to see if they have more information about this or if you would prefer to talk things through with one of our team of nurses. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any advice, information and support they can. They're available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    Undoubtedly this is a difficult time for you Laurie. Please know that you're welcome to keep posting here in the Cacner Chat community if it helps to have a safe space to put things down in writing. We're here for you. 

    Sending you my best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

Reply
  • Hello Laurie

    I'm so very sorry to hear about the loss of your much-loved husband. It's understandable that you're feeling angry and upset about all that has happened and I hope that you have been well supported by family and friends while you try to navigate your journey with grief. 

    The Bowel Cancer UK website has some information about the screening process, which says one of the risks of bowel cancer screening is that "no screening programme is 100% accurate. Cancer may be missed if the tumour was not bleeding when you took the test".  I'm sorry that I'm not able to answer your question about how many people's cancer diagnoses may have been missed despite carrying out a screening test. It's certainly worth getting in touch with Bowel Cancer UK to see if they have more information about this or if you would prefer to talk things through with one of our team of nurses. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any advice, information and support they can. They're available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    Undoubtedly this is a difficult time for you Laurie. Please know that you're welcome to keep posting here in the Cacner Chat community if it helps to have a safe space to put things down in writing. We're here for you. 

    Sending you my best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

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