Hey folks.

Over the last several years have had various scares around presence of blood in stool which in general has been assessed by doctors based on evidence I presented and physical examinations etc as a consequence of piles, poor diet etc. Have had rather messy dynamics of struggling around food, overeating etc while also having health anxiety around cancer (for context relatives have had different kinds of cancer in the past and a late relative was concerned with me developing it and I have feelings of guilt around not fully following their advice, mixed in with seeing news reports about bowel cancer and other forms of cancers developing amongst people in their early 30s which is my age bracket). Have put on a lot of weight in the last year after a period of managing to reduce my weight, exercise a little bit more etc and I have been trying to get back into shape with a well being coach.

Last week on Thursday I went into see a doctor again to raise fact that I felt like my anal area was a bit irritated and had been for a month or so and that I was concerned and wanted to rule out possibility of cancer before committing to some lifestyle changes with closer support from friends. The doctor carried out a physical examination and said that he could not identify any blood in anal area itself or lumps or anything of that nature and that the irritation issue and any bleeding seemed more to do with skin issues (a doctor earlier this year who examined me said there was a tear in skin which she thought was responsible for blood in stool).

An hour or so later however I was called by the doctor who said that he and colleagues thought it was worth me doing a qFIT just to rule anything out so I went back to collect a test kit to collect a sample which I returned the day after.

I received a phone call over an hour from my doctor noting that the qFIT had come back positive and to notify me of the next steps which have now commenced with a few messages on the NHS app regarding the clinic that will contact me and details that they will contact me by Thursday. 

Checking the NHS app details on test results the qFIT apparently came back as 36ug/g. I am unsure as to whether that number is particularly significant relative to any other number above 10 on the test.

I am trying to remain focused, to wait for further information, and to avoid looking up things online but am obviously a tad distressed by all this and I have been diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder in the past (have seen various therapists over the years in regards to that).  As a result I thought it made sense to reach out to cancer support community spaces online for any potential further advice. I hope that all makes sense. <3