As with everyone here, looking for both advice and sympathy!

I did a FIT test last week after reporting some symptoms, which tbh I've suffered from for a year or so, if not more, but like many people just brush them off, until I had the guts to go & see my doctor about it. I do feel very foolish. I had a operation to remove piles 20 years ago, which was successful but I still get them flaring up on occasions. Maybe I saw some blood in my stools that I hoped was piles but ignored it too long. I wonder if I should have shouted more that I could be a risk based on my history. All sorts of negative thoughts, as you can imagine.

My symptoms are soft stools with spasmy motions, long standing piles as above, acid reflux and semi-persistent cough. So a mix of things that have several potential red flags.

I've had the FIT results back within 5 days (which is pretty impressive tbh)  and my doctor sent me a text this morning to contact them urgently & I got an emergency appointment today. I have to say my NHS doctor was great. He thanked me for responding quickly, and said it could be anything from nothing to bowel cancer. I'm surprised he said this, but he gave an opinion that he thought it was probably the piles. And that the bowel and other symptoms didn't concern him so much as red flags. I've got a fast track referral for possible cancer. Reading about it, seems like an assessment for a colonoscopy then a colonoscopy soon after. I have private health insurance through my employer, though not sure if they cover colonoscopies. Maybe I need to look at that if I'm kept waiting.

Anyway - as everyone on here, I'm very worried. I looked at my odds, and they seems quite good, based on some reputable websites, that it's more likely a polyp. What most worries me is some references say that the high FIT result is probably not due to piles as they find blood in the stools, so piles aren't so relevant. But some others say it could well be the piles (which is what my doctor suggested). Any experience, advice or thoughts are welcome! I have a very supportive partner family and friends so this at least is a huge blessing - they'll do whatever it takes to support me. And I'll fight whatever it is with everything I have!