positive bowel screening result

Have the colonoscopy. It is fine and if anything is found, such as polyps, they can be removed there and then. Do not decline it. We are lucky to have preventative health care available to us. Refusing it will not give you peace of mind will it?

My friend died of BC at 51. She had been feeling unwell for some time and saw the GP several times. Each time they told her she was fine. After 18 months her sister got involved as she was experiencing so many symptoms and insisted she went to the GP with her. She also insisted she was referred to hospital for tests.

The hospital told her she had Stage 4 bowel cancer and there was nothing they could do for her. She lasted just a couple of months sadly.

Please go for the colonoscopy,it's no problem and from my recollection it was quite a jolly affair. It is daunting at first but the specialist and the nurses make sure you are very relaxed. Best put your mind at rest. Good luck.

I've recently had a Colonoscopy and like you was shocked when i received the letter... My advice would be to have the procedure... I was terrified, 'beside myself', I've had several 'poo tests' and dreaded the result each time, probably more so now I am 73... There is no question that the preparation for the procedure is quite a saga and needs some thinking about (for me anyway as i am scared of anything medical')... my further advice would be follow all prep to the letter and if unsure don't hesitate to ring the number they give you as the folk on other end of phone are lovely. I have sent a thank you card to all the staff I had contact with, from the smiley woman at reception to the kind, caring nurse there for my exit chat as my care was exemplary, truly caring, kind, never rushing me and so understanding when i got upset. Its not a pleasant experience however it doesn't last long and you can pause the procedure if its too uncomfortable. I am so glad i had 'it' done... I cannot praise our NHS enough, it is truly an institution we should all be proud of... Finally our nurses need to be paid better they are AMAZING... Please have this 'done', you won't regret it EVER!!!

I know it's a shock but I have 3 friends whose bowel cancers were picked up this way. One had his treatment 9 years ago an op and chemo. One had stoma and subsequent reversal 6 years ago and one had a bowel resection and is doing well 2 years on. I have also 2 friends who went for tests on suspicion of cancer who had innocent polyps but it put their minds at rest. We all meet up often so I would say of course if you get offered treatment go for it. I know the tests and preps are far from pleasant but a small price to pay as the information gained will give the information needed for treatments. Wishing you all the best.

It's probably nothing much, but my first husband died of bowel cancer aged just 44 because he was considered "too young" to have a malignancy. Having a screening test, such as yours, would probably have saved him. I've had 4 colonoscopies myself, and while it's a bit unpleasant, it's no big deal. Go and have it done. You won't relax until you do.

Yes you would be silly to refuse treatment, but anyway at this stage you'll only be asked to have further investigation not treatment.
The investigation and laxative you have to take beforehand aren't pleasant, but they will probably find you are fine or just have polyps which they can treat at the time of the investigation. And if you've had regular bowel cancer checks they will be finding anything worse VERY early. Much better to know and get it dealt with if necessary.

Yes. Defo have the test/treatment. My brother in law was taken ill in the States about 20 years ago and the doctors there diagnosed diverticulitis ….when he got home a week later …he took accompanying letter from the US doctor and had an appointment with his own surgery. They sent him for tests and he had bowel cancer ….he got immediate treatment ( private) and he’s never looked back. Ignoring won’t make it go away. Have your test ….I’ve had it done and it was painless!

Sorry, but I have had a colonoscopy in the past and I found it very painful,
I wasn’t given enough sedation which was the problem, i now realise.
Also, the laxatives you have to take are really very extreme.
Fasting also for two days before.
If you decide to go ahead, ask for more sedation.

Hi, don't worry about having a colonoscopy. You can have a light sedative if you're anxious but the procedure is OK. I've had one and the doctor found a small polyp, which was removed straightaway, entirely painless. I watched the whole thing on a screen. It was a bit surreal looking at the inside of my colon but very interesting. You can't not have it done incase it's serious, but it's fine. Chin up xx

What's the point in taking the test in the first place if you don't follow up on result. You should go.

Do not do nothing. Get it checked

I’ve had it done and it’s easy, you had it done to rule out things, so get it done, it could save your life.

Of course! Visited two friends today who both had positive results. One was pronounced clear after colonoscopy the other had a 3 cm growth removed. Please please don’t ignore

I’ve had it without sedation - the advantage to this, is you don’t need anyone with you or to get you home.
It was totally painless….and you can watch the procedure on a screen whilst the nurses and doc chat to you.
The movieprep drink is ghastly after the first few glasses and you can end up with a sore bot. If this is the case, tell the nurse at your pre- procedure interview and she’ll ask the doc to apply a numbing gel (which is very effective).
If you’re really fretting, you can opt for a sedative but have to wait longer afterward and then need to be driven home.
You can opt for no sedative but have the cannula attached ready, in case you get stressed and change your mind, then they can administer a sedative immediately.

I have a colonoscopy every 5 years, as recommended by the medical profession here in the States. Always wise to get it done.

I am able to write this reply as I did follow up cancer checks. I had ovarian cancer 20 years ago and after an operation and chemotherapy am still here. Now have bladder cancer, and am having treatment for that. I would not be here now if I had not had the ovarian cancer treated and have had 20 years more life so far (intend to carry on a bit longer) As other say if you dont do anything, now you already know it is there and will worry about it, so I do urge you to go and have the treatment and look to the future you can still have. The best of luck with it all

Please, please go ahead and have the procedure. I had four in the past two years as polyps were found and one was “turning” which means I have to have a check up yearly. They are so kind and truly help and support you and explain everything.

Please don’t worry too much about the colonoscopy. You’ll be sedated anyway so won’t know too much about it! I too had a positive result in 2015 despite having no symptoms. If I hadn’t have had the colonoscopy and subsequent treatment I’m fairly sure I wouldn’t be here now. Please don’t ignore it! Wishing you all the best x

I had a colonoscopy when I was eighty. Proved to have cancer.
It had just started to get into the liver. Had op to remove part of bowel and was Ok until five years ago when I had anal cancel which was cured by radiotherapy..
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It would be very stupid indeed to refuse a further examination, as the earlier bowel cancer, if that is what it is, is treated the better.

Ask the hospital if they are still using the old-fashioned colonoscopy or the new treatment where you swollow a tiny computer chip that photographs its way through your digestive tract, finally being passed with a motion, retrieved and read by the hospital.

I have no personal experience of this form of colonoscopy, but have heard it is greatly preferable to the former treatment. I know it is available in Scotland, so presumably it is in other parts of the UK too.

No point in me telling you that you are being silly, as I think your question is rhetorical and you are just looking for reassurance.
I have Crohn’s disease and I have had this procedure many times. It really is nothing at all to worry about. It’s all very dignified and not at all uncomfortable, you really won’t feel a thing. However if you are anxious, as many people are, just ask to be sedated and you won’t even know it’s happening really you are sort of a wake sort of asleep. Be aware though if you chose this option, you will need someone to pick you up and stay with you for so many hours.
This is over in about 30mins weigh that against your life and it is a no brainer really.

Think of it as self-care. Not anywhere near as nice as a massage but I bet it's a lot better than a leg-wax! All best to you!

A colonoscopy is a few minutes of discomfort, or maybe I had a hamfisted doctor! But better that, than dealing with an undiagnosed problem later down the line. It will be fine. Good luck!

Yes very silly indeed, The emptying out is not pleasant for sure, but there is nothing to the colonoscopy itself, just a lot of wind afterwards. Get it done and put your mind at ease. Time for big girl knickers I am afraid