I definitely think you should get the test. The odds are high that this is nothing serious at all and apart from anything else, if it is a pre-cancerous polyp, it's very likely they will just remove it during the colonoscopy whereas if you don't get the colonoscopy, there is a chance it could become cancerous. So it's not to just know and adjust your lifestyle. There's also a possibility that it alone, without any further treatment, could prevent you from getting cancer.

Plus, in the more likely scenario that it is something like hemorrhoids or a fissure, it will be reassuring. If you don't get the test done, you'll be worrying, "what if it is cancer?" or "what if it was a pre-cancerous polyp and I am going to develop cancer," whereas if you know it's just a hemorrhoid, you don't have to worry any more.

I see absolutely no reason not to get it done and there are some cases in which having it done could literally save your life.

I'd say the odds are against bowel cancer, especially if you had no polyps 4 or 5 years ago, though of course anything is possible, but if there are polyps, you probably want them removed. And of course, if it is something like diverticulitis or IBD, you might benefit from treatment.

As regards being abroad, I'd just phone straight away and tell them you are abroad on that date and would it be possible to reschedule?

Thank you for comprehensive analysis MargaretMary. Logically you are right. The colonoscopy screening might of course consider me unsuitable for the procedure (co-morbidities)but I suspect that I shall at least find out. And thus balance risks. Research strongly indicates that surgery is counterproductive at my age and with extreme COPD (although I cycle 120-150 miles most weeks).

My thanks.

They won't be open when my flight leaves in the morning  -  I will call as soon as possible after landing!

OK, changed pre-colonoscopy assesment to day after I  return from Portugal, so only lost a few days! But by phone. Seeing as should include BP, oxygen levels and heart rates I am not sure how this works!

I would definitely attend ,I would reschedule for after your holiday ,chances are its nothing to worry about but if it is wouldn't you rather know ,If you just ignore it you will be forever thinking about it ,it will not go away so I would advise you to make another appointment at your convenience .

Pre-colonoscopy assessment by phone yesterday, so only lost 4 days from the schedule because of being on holiday. Blood test bit arranged for Monday, procedure for 19 July if I am in acceptable condition! 

Although FIT result says only "abnormal", the assessment nurse made some comment about referring at "120". If I understand that correctly then cancer pretty much certain. I shall however undergo the colonoscopy if on offer. Any treatment a different matter.

I do have confirmatory symptoms, but also 2 other conditions which could present the same, so maybe gives a probability of not C of 10%.

Whatever, I prefer to know. Doubt I will sleep well next 13 nights.....

Well done in getting quite a few things sorted ,you say with a score of 120 cancer is pretty much certain I would say its not certain at all ,people have had a high score of many hundreds and it has not been cancer ,it could be internal piles or polyp's  or diverticulitis etc its not always something as serious as cancer .

Cancer is definitely not certain or even likely because of a raised FIT test. I think the odds of cancer when one is referred because of a positive FIT test is around 10%. 

I guess depending on the other symptoms, they could make the odds a little higher, but I would think the odds are still very much on the side of it not being cancer.

All the FIT test tells you is that there was blood in your stool and lots of things can cause that.