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Positive FIT Test

niam
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Hi all,

I know diagnosis can only come from a medical professional but I am truly terrified of having bowel/colon cancer. I have had intermittent blood in my stool for a while but put it down to piles. The blood has always been bright red so fresh. Last week I had difficulty passing stools followed by what can only be described as very watery diarreah. I knew it wasn't right so contacted the doctor. To be fair, having read through other stories, I think I'm quite lucky because she immediately ordered a FIT test which I returned same day.

Today I receive a called from the doctor informing me my fit test was positive (17 - I don't understand the numbers) and they were doing an urgent 2 week referral. I then got a called from the hospital and have a telephone appointment with a nurse tomorrow morning to discuss what is next - I believe that will be a colonoscopy. 
 

my concern is that for the last week I've had low grade fever pretty much every day, mostly in the evening. My appetite has left the building so I have lost 8lbs in the last week (I'm overweight!). 

I had a similar episode in July last year but it was as I was admitted to hospital for Covid so I figured it was a symptom of covid but now am worried that I've had symptoms for nearly a whole year and haven't done anything about it.

Does anyone know how the numbers work with a fit test. The doctor today didn't really say much other than he's sending an urgent cancer referral which has given me anxiety beyond anything I've experienced before. 

I'm 42, don't know family history as maternal side we've never known. Paternal side there's no known history of cancer. 

Do the fit result numbers inicate how serious whatever it is could be? I'm so frightened I have cancer. I have two kids, one is in the middle of her GCSEs and I really can't think straight at the moment. 

if it helps anyone. My symptoms:

change in bowel habit - currently go to the toilet every morning - mostly loose stool but only one occurance of the watery stool following constipation the day before

some mucous when I wipe

low grade fever (mainly in the evening) 

recently picked up a cold/flu from my daughter (2 weeks ago so perhaps lower immune system) 

loss of appetite (eating less) 

weight loss

fatigue 

blood in stool (the stool sample I provided had no visible blood and was quite liquid like)
 

Parents
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    Hey Tazmin, 

    Thank you for your message - I appreciate the support. I am relieved but genuinely terrified if I'm honest. I'm freaking out about the bloods now I won't lie. 

    I have been doing a lot of research which is not healthy and I hope you can manage to stay off Google. I would advise that you go back to your GP and insist on an urgent referral though. You could have an inflammatory bowel disease which may also return a high Fit test but I think it's unfair to make you wait for 25 weeks. You can ask for a second opinion also. 

    You are young but it doesn't mean you should have to wait longer than anyone else based on your age. Go back to them and ask them to reconsider referring you sooner. 

    it may also be worth asking for blood tests as well as it may help to figure out what is going on in your body  

    have your symptoms got any better? Are you experiencing any blood in your stool or anything like that? 

    Thinking of you and I will post updates every step of the way if it helps. 

    also, I have been keeping a diary so every day I write everything down no matter how small. I write the times I use the toilet, colour, consistency, I also log my temperature as I have fever every evening for some reason. 

    try not to worry too much, stress is not good for the body. Easier said then done, I know because I'm a mess but until you get an appointment you won't know what's going on. 
     

    x

Reply
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    Hey Tazmin, 

    Thank you for your message - I appreciate the support. I am relieved but genuinely terrified if I'm honest. I'm freaking out about the bloods now I won't lie. 

    I have been doing a lot of research which is not healthy and I hope you can manage to stay off Google. I would advise that you go back to your GP and insist on an urgent referral though. You could have an inflammatory bowel disease which may also return a high Fit test but I think it's unfair to make you wait for 25 weeks. You can ask for a second opinion also. 

    You are young but it doesn't mean you should have to wait longer than anyone else based on your age. Go back to them and ask them to reconsider referring you sooner. 

    it may also be worth asking for blood tests as well as it may help to figure out what is going on in your body  

    have your symptoms got any better? Are you experiencing any blood in your stool or anything like that? 

    Thinking of you and I will post updates every step of the way if it helps. 

    also, I have been keeping a diary so every day I write everything down no matter how small. I write the times I use the toilet, colour, consistency, I also log my temperature as I have fever every evening for some reason. 

    try not to worry too much, stress is not good for the body. Easier said then done, I know because I'm a mess but until you get an appointment you won't know what's going on. 
     

    x

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