positive bowel screening test

I'm 20 years old and female. Had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia age 2-4. Yearly checks afterwards were always normal thankfully. I haven't been poorly since I was 15. 

I got a call from the drs a few weeks ago as someone in my family messaged them concerned about my weight.

I agreed to see the dr about my weight loss but that time, I didn't want to admit to myself (let alone the dr) that I've not been eating much on purpose and going on walks a lot more to lose weight even though I'm already underweight. I don't understand why I'm like this because I used to love food but I'm going to tell my dr next time about this.

I said that I have just lost my appetite and stressed (I feel guilty about lying, I know I should have just been honest). She weighed me, felt my tummy and listened to my chest and said she'll request a CT scan. She also asked me to give a stool sample and a bowel screening test. I didn't expect any of those to be abnormal.

My screening test is positive at 400 and my faecal calprotectin is slightly raised. I didn't expect those at all, especially since I didn't see blood when I did the test.

Now I've realised my weight has gone down very fast and it's probably not caused by just diet and exercise.

I'm going to have a phone appointment tomorrow to discuss test results.

Any advice?

  • I just had my telephone appointment. They want me to have a blood test next week and a face to face appointment to get height and weight measurements up to date. I am guessing I'll also need a rectal examination. I'm so nervous!

  • Hi sophie2001,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I can understand this must be concerning, but it's good to hear they are being thorough.

    I hope it's not long to wait for you to have the tests and to get all the results you need. Be as honest as you can with the doctors at your appointments, and talk through any concerns or questions you have with them.

    I can see you have also posted in the 'Ask the Nurses' section of this forum, so you'll get a reply from one of our nurses soon.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator