Hi,

I had a stool test (sent via the NHS Bowel cancer screening programme) in June 2018 and again in April 2021 and both were negative. Missed out on 2020 test due to eveyone in the NHS focussing on covid. 

August 2021, diarrhea, with blood, rapidly lost weight, colonoscopy in Sept. 2021 revealed a tumor in my colon that the camera was unable to get passed. It appears that the test is no good unless the tumor is bleeding at the time you use the test kit. Darn it. 

So regardless of the results of the FIT test, keep on requesting that colonoscopy. 

Best wishes to you.

Dave x

Hi Sarah,

I was asked to keep a 'poo diary' by my GP. 

The colonoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing bowel problems, so keep requesting one. 

Best wishes,

Dave  x

Hi Dave

Thanks for your message. Yes that makes sense that it only shows up if there is bleeding at the time. I hadn't thought of that. I guess nothing is 100% fail safe. I wonder if yours was quite early on when you took the test in April 2021. I am glad you have got through it. 

Thanks again 

Best wishes 

Petals

Hi Petals,

When I couldn't help surfing the internet about such matters, I read that bowel tumors often take 5 to 10 years before they really start to show obvious symptoms. So I guess I was just unlucky that, in 2018 and 2021, my tumor decided not to bleed at the time I took the screening tests. Unless, as you say, it was very aggressive and grew very quickly, as it was very large by September 2021. I haven't had indepth discussions with my oncologist about such matters as I'm trying to take a 'what will be, will be' approach on this journey at the present time. Since finishing chemo, I try to exercise, eat sensibly, and avoid alcohol. But I'm still working (retire in June 2024, hurrah!). 

Bowel cancer screening starts at age 50 in Scotland. It starts at age 60 in England and Wales. I think it should be 50. People who have a family history should also start testing earlier. My dad died at 70 from bowel cancer, so really I should have been more proactive early on, but I wasn't. I suppose the extra strain on the NHS would require more funding but surely the impact of late diagnoses is very costly in the long run.

If the stool test comes back negative, you should still have that colonoscopy.

Best wishes,

Dave  x

Yes I live in Scotland and remember getting the bowel screening kit in the post the day after my 50th birthday. The kit changed a couple of years ago and is now easier to use. I have just got another one in the post today so I guess it is the start of finding out what is wrong with my tum.

I will update as I know more. 

Hi Petals,

I remember in 2018 the kit required testing over 3 days - you had to take samples over a three day period and write down the date of each sample. Now the screening requires only one sample. To me, this may be a step backwards if you consider what I was saying about the tumor not bleeding from time to time. It must be more likely that positive test results will be more frequent if it is done over 3 days. But then again, mine was negative in 2018, so what do i know!

Best wishes and hope all goes well for you.

I've just had my bowel resection due to bowel cancer, I'm 37, and because of my age I had to pester the gp for a year until he agreed to a colonoscopy. Keep pushing. Keep insisting. 

Just a wee update. I have had two stool tests sent to the hospital for testing but neither my GP nor I have been sent the results. Now have a CT colonoscopy on Wed. My symptoms seem to have improved a little and are not so constant but definitely need checked out. Hope everyone else doing OK.

Good! Glad your getting somewhere!!!