positive bowel screening result

Yes. Short answer. Find out exactly what's going on and be glad that you have this chance.

Of course you are being silly, Travelsafar.
I understand that you are probably scared, but a friend of mine had a positive screening test last year, despite having no symptoms.
It saved his life. The tumour was removed and he is now cancer free.

Please have the investigation. I knew a young man who died aged 30 (four years ago) because he was considered 'too young' to have bowel cancer. No investigation was done, until it was too late. You may be correct in thinking it's just a minor problem. I hope it is. But you really do need to have confirmation, one way or another. Best wishes.

Yes definitely have the colonoscopy. My sister had a positive screening result a few weeks ago, no other symptoms. Turns out it was cancer, she had an operation this week and is recovering nicely. If she hadn’t done the screening then followed it up things could have turned out very badly.

PS. The investigation is nothing to be worried about. I've had it done.

The initial screen only looks for blood apparently so anyone with "leaky" haemorrhoids may test positive.

Could you ask to do this test again - and do it when you have had a few days of easy bowel movements?

Whilst unpleasant I would definitely check it out one way or another.
I am not a doctor so suggest you talk it through.
There was a good thread a few months ago about the procedure - maybe someone knows where it is?

Travels try not to worry, a colonoscopy is a bit undignified but very effective in finding if there is a problem,
I had my latest colonoscopy results yesterday which were clear thank goodness but as still I have major problems which I won’t go into do early in the morning and am trying to get an appointment with a specialist.
Suggest you get something over the counter for the constipation which might help with the bleeding issue.

I have regular colonoscopies as I am at high risk of getting bowel cancer due to family history. I swear to you they are nothing to worry about! They will offer you sedation so take that and you will totally relax. I would rather have one of those than a tooth filled.

Consider yourself very fortunate that something has been picked up so soon. Bowel cancer is the most preventable cancer IF picked up early.

Best of luck.

Don't forget this is a routine screening procedure in America - I was told it should be done "every 5 years after 55"

So sorry you have this worry, OP, but 🤞.

Because of family history of it (MiL died of BC because her GP disregarded symptoms 🤬) my dh voluntarily has a colonoscopy regularly, has done for some years. Obviously not his favourite pastime but very soon over and well worth it,

You will get more information when you speak to the hospital. If you do have to have a colonoscopy dont worry. You will more than likely be given the option of sedation, but dont worry about it.
There must be many gransnetters who have had this procedure with no worries.It is really a bonus that you received the appointment. Can you look at it in that way ?

Definitely go, I found it was nearly as bad as I feared and then I got a negative result.
If you don’t go then you will worry about it constantly.

Please try not to worry (easier said than done, I know) - a positive result can happen for many reasons and doesn't necessarily mean anything serious. A colonoscopy isn't the most pleasant of procedures, but it will give a clear picture of what is going on. As others have said, if bowel cancer is detected early, it is very treatable. My MiL had it in her early 50s and is almost 92 now!

travelsafar
Are you drinking at least 2 litres of water a day. A must if you’re taking medication that exacerbates constipation.
You could look for a poop stool 😄 this is a stool that raises your knees above your hips for the correct position to empty your bowels.
And remember to completely relax. That’s a big help with constipation.

I found myself in exactly the same position as you at the end of last year travelsafar. I had a positive result on the screening test and had to have a colonoscopy. Thankfully the outcome of the colonoscopy was that there was nothing unusual and there is no more action I need to take. The positive in the screening test could be down to many, many things.

I had the sedation, and the whole procedure was very quick. The nurses and the person doing the colonoscopy were very nice and understand how people might be stressed about it. The nurse who prepared me made me laugh. She asked:
Do you know why you're here, all about the camera? Yes, I said. And you know where we stick it? 😉

The stuff you have to drink the night before tastes dreadful, but that really was the worst bit, I found.

Please don't worry travelsafar. Even if you need further action, better to have found that out now than years down the line.

Let us know how you get on.

I would say have the screening. I have had a colonoscopy for another reason and after taking the offered sedation it was not too bad.
A relation ignored their positive test and only lived 6 weeks after going to the doctor with very real symptoms.

PamelaJ1

Definitely go, I found it was nearly as bad as I feared and then I got a negative result.
If you don’t go then you will worry about it constantly.

NOT NEARLY AS BAD AS I FEARED.🤦🏼‍♀️

I forgot to say I agree with Volver, the worst was the cleaning out of the bowel with the powder they give you the day before was the worst part. Don't book any appointments and be prepared to stay at home. Thanks for reminding me Volver.. I'm afraid I did show myself up I was having a tube down my throat at the same time. As I came around from the Colonoscopy I could hear the nurses giggling and the DR . had a big smile on his face. It seems whilst under the influence I had said to the Dr I hope you did my throat first.
They assured me it was two different instruments and were very kind and supportive. As DH said only I could say such a thing.!!!!!

Have it done ,I have had several first one, one polyp had a very early cancer in had yearly ones but now back to 5yearly .Prep unpleasant I don't have sedation but it's there if you do .

I was in the same position a few years ago and had a colonoscopy. Nothing was found but a couple of polyps were removed as they can turn cancerous.

I did not want any sedation and was happy to watch on the screen what was going on.

Please do not cancel the colonoscopy.

Go, go, go! Have it seen to ASAP!

Thank you for all the suppportive messages. I have just had a chat with a friend about it and she confirms it is not too bad as unbeknown to me she has had several of these tests and it is not painful just a little undigniifed. Feeling better about the whole thing now.

Yes, do go, the sooner the better.

It might be haemmorhoids but best to find out asap.

Yes. Why bother submitting the test if you then ignore any recommendations? The technology exists to help with any diagnosis, it’s a no-brainier to accept it.