Blood in the stool can be caused by many things. Cancer is only one of a number of options and some aren't that serious at all, such as hemorrhoids.

I know how worrying it is. I had to have a colonoscopy for rectal bleeding and some other symptoms a few months back and even though I knew it was unlikely to be cancer, that was the possibility that kept playing on my mind. In my case, all they found was hemorrhoids. I hope it will be something equally minor with your husband.

Hi

The new FIT test is very good, it will find the tiniest amount of blood, so give a positive result. You already knew there was blood and the good thing is the colonoscopy is getting done soon. Lot's of things cause blood and the worst being cancer. You will probably be told the results on the day so no waiting around for them. A polyp will cause blood so if that is the cause it will be painlessly snipped off during the procedure.

We all expect the worst, my advice is don't google!

Good luck, let us know how he goes x

Thank you MargaretMary. My husband had a rectal at the GP and he couldn't feel any haemorrhoids, and with the length of time it's been going on, haemorrhoids aren't high on my list of causes. 

Thankyou Ineedabreak. Yes, the result of the FIT wasn't a surprise and in a way I'm pleased because it meant a referral was made under the 2 week rule.  

Googleing relentlessly, that's the problem! Trying to find a case when someone has had blood in stools for a long period of time in the hope it will make me feel better, but I know it won't, because then I would just convince myself we aren't that fortunate.

It doesn't help that my friends husband died of bowel cancer 4 years ago

Hi 

I am currently waiting a colonoscopy due to bleeding and other symptoms and are in an absolute state. My calprotectin level is over 1500. I was told by a GP its high likely it's cancer and the anxiety that's causing me is worse than the symptoms itself however talking helps, keep him talking,.talk to friends and that includes you, you need support so you can support him if you haven't already, talk to a friend they will want to help. I also has my pre assessment yesterday and the nurse was lovely and much more reassuring than my GP and said yes there's a chance but so many other things can cause it and I'm.holding onto that. Whatever it is it will be treatable and you will find the strength to get through it. I do hope your husband gets some reassurance and I pray for good news for us both this week (my test is Thursday).

Sorry to here that Scaredv.

Out of interest what are you other symptoms? That's the only thing I am clinging onto as he has no other symptoms. 

Anxiety is a horror isn't it. My husband is very blasé and isn't worried in the slightest. 

While I have no reason to believe it's hemorrhoids in your husband's case, I will add that the doctor could not find any in my case either, even thought I thought I had felt one myself. The colonoscopy did find them and one of the nurses said it's not unusual for a GP to miss them.

But there are loads of other possibilities like IBD, fissures, polyps, diverculitis...

Hi 

My other symptoms are urgency to go to the toilet, mucus, constipation and loose stools, stomach cramping, bloating most of which I've had for a while and been told IBS. It's only after the second time me saying to gp there was blood in my stools that they gave me a fit test. I really thought I'd just be referred to a consultant so the whole two week wait was quite a shock. Then for the GP to say highly likely cancer or colitis has had me in bits making my symptoms even worse I've never felt anxiety like it. However seeing the nurse for my pre assessment reassured me that even if it the worst it's treatable, and it could quite easily be something else like IBD as others have said so I'm holding onto that. Whatever it is it's treatable it means I'm not going anywhere. It's good your husband hasn't got any other symptoms I hope that will be in his favour. I do hope his test comes back ok I'll be thinking of you both you've already been through so much but whatever it is you will deal with it. I'm 42 with a young daughter and that's my focus whatever it is I will beat it for her. I know it's hard to stay positive and believe you me I'm writing this yet I'm struggling but each day is a day closer to knowing what's what and when you know, when I know, we will put our game face on and deal with it. Hope I've helped in someway keep talking to friends family it helps X 

That is helpful, thank you 

I keep writing replies that don't post for some reason. 

Im glad you are feeling positive. Husband is feeling anxious today, I think it's more to do with the colonoscopy prep, or rather the lack of food before it. 

Although I'm looking at him now and think he looks pale