Bowel Cancer Screening Test positive

I had a positive screen test (not the postal one) last year and had to have a colonoscopy. It was negative. The consultant told me that the screen tests were so thorough that they would pick up the minutest spot of blood in perfectly healthy people. She seemed to indicate that consultants were often wasting their time on unnecessary procedures. The very best of luck, Silkyoldbird👍

I had a positive test and had already been to GP as I could see the blood and was waiting for an appointment. The screening service was much quicker. I had a colonoscopy and it was a polyp which was removed later. My father also had bowel cancer (successfully treated) so I too was concerned. The polyp wasn’t cancerous but was considered high risk of turning cancerous so I had repeated checkups for 3 years. Now back in the normal screening system. Easy to say but there are lots of reasons other than cancer

I had a so called positive test and a colonoscopy was advised. However, I found out that the medication (ibuprofen) I was on at the time does alter the result. However, they do not advise one of that and nor do they (or can they?) screen for it. Having had a colonoscopy only a few years previously I opted out of another one. Two years later, I ensured I was not taking ibuprofen at the time of taking my sample and my test was negative.

Cornergran thanks for the advice about blood pressure.

Maggierose that must have been very worrying for you - glad it turned out well.

I’ve not had a very good night and feel very sick and shaky this morning. Iwish I knew how to calm myself down and just get on with things like others do. I’m thankful to have a very supportive husband, so I’m just sitting here like a rabbit in the headlights while he runs around after me.

I feel so pathetic not being able to deal with this kind of thing in a calm and rational way.

I’m hoping to get an appointment this week with a consultant at a local private hospital so perhaps it will make me feel better that things are happening.

I had the test you do by post and it was clear. A couple of weeks later I developed constant diarrhoea and did a poo test for the GP which showed quite a likelihood of bowel cancer. I had a colonoscopy and a polyp removed. The biopsy showed I had microscopic colitis, which can only be diagnosed by biopsy. There are 2 types, ulcerative colitis and collagenous colitis. I had collagenous colitis and was prescribed a course of steroids which worked immediately. That was over a year ago and I have had no recurrence. The GP said if it comes back he will be able to prescribe the steroids and no need for the colonoscopy which is a brilliant diagnostic tool but the prep is no fun at all! If you can afford it I would go private for the colonoscopy to avoid the waiting and worrying.

Perhaps take some home BP readings with you sillyoldbird in case of BP concerns. Tell staff you have white coat syndrome, it’s common and they will understand. Works for me. An anaesthetist will monitor you through the whole procedure.

I’ve had two colonoscopies as a result of the routine tests. In my case the blood found was as a result of haemorrhoids. The preparation does mean stay close to a toilet, it’s not so bad.

The actual procedures were interesting, I could watch on a screen (optional) and the consultant explained what I was seeing. Staff are very kind and understand anxieties. I’m sure you won’t need to wait for very long. Good luck. Wishing you well.

I have loads of colonoscopies and can honestly say I would rather have one of those than having a tooth extracted. I have had polyps removed and told I have diverticular disease which apparently most older people have some degree of.

I had another test last week from the GP and that has come back clear.

DamaskRose, sometimes that’s all that’s needed - thank you 🙏

Sorry, Sillyoldbird I have no advice to offer, just sympathy, and lots of positive vibes and .

Thanks everyone for your comments

Callistemon21 I already have high BP which gets worse every time I go to GP. It’s controlled by meds but apparently I have ‘white coat syndrome’, so although it’s fine when I’m at home, medical settings have an adverse effect on me.

I’ll discuss with the screening nurse and see if there’s any to help

Sillyoldbird - it’s all going to be fine

calm, sorry.

Try to stay cal, because if your blood pressure goes up, they will not carry out the colonoscopy for safety reasons.

Best wishes and try to stay positive 🙂

I had to have a Colonoscopy which found pre cancerous polyps (and Diverticular disease) thank goodness I did the Bowel Screening test.
I had to go again after 6 months when they found another very small polyp. Then another colonoscopy 2 years later which was clear.
Funnily enough a letter plopped (🫤) through my letter box yesterday to tell me that a kit will be sent to me in the next couple of weeks.
As people have said the preparation that you have before is the worst part, resign yourself to sitting on the loo for about 4 hours, but once it’s stopped you feel fine, I didn’t find the taste bad at all, I think it was lemon.
My Grandfather died from Bowel Cancer so I’m pleased that I had the test.

well, i didn't find the prep solution vile at all.
it just needs a bit of planning.
i've had 2 colonoscopies.

Sillyoldbird

V3ra I’ve heard really bad things about the preparation drink!

I know the whole experience will be very unpleasant but it’s a necessary evil and not really that I’m bothered about- just the outcome.

The whole experience won’t necessarily be unpleasant. Yes, the bowel prep is vile but that was by far the worst bit for me. The colonoscopy itself wasn’t in any way unpleasant. I had no pain, no discomfort. I would suggest you have sedation. I was able to watch the screen which is an interesting experience! My sedation was fentanyl which is an analgesic, buscopan which relaxes your bowel and midazolam which is the sedative and I’d pay good money for that one! 😂. It’s sheer bliss. I was concerned as I have a significant family history of colon/rectal cancer. I was found to have a 3mm polyp which was removed via the colonoscopy and lucky that it was as the histology showed pre-cancerous cells. It’s great that we have these tests that can predict trouble before it occurs. Good luck with yours.

I am at med to high risk of bowel cancer according to genetic counselling. My MUm had it twice (different strains) which raises my risk. She had major surgery each time but lived very well and happily with her colostomy bag until almost 97.

My son, in America says it's a routine test every 5 years after 55. 😬

NotSpaghetti, thanks for the advice 👍

I don't mean pull-off underwear, I mean pull-off clothing.

Oldfrill, that’s great - my brother recovered completely too. But another, more distant relative didn’t.
I’m not sure if my brother was identified as having the type associated with increased familial risk. I would have thought they would have advised him to speak to us about it if this was the case but he didn’t.

My husband said wear pull-off underwear such as joggers or leggings (no buttons or zips) and be prepared to just sit on the loo and virtually drink it there as there may be almost no gaps between drinking and the "reaction".
He says - drink the drink (quickly) with a straw so you don't actually taste it.

I'm sure you will be fine.

Yes Petra, you’re right, it’s the one sent in the post.

By ‘false positive results’ do you think he meant the bleeding was caused by things other than cancer, or that it showed blood was there when it wasn’t?

I think I may be overthinking things 🙄

I've had bowel cancer, over 20 years ago. I was too young for screening but it was picked up by an extremely vigilant trainee GP. Just so you know, even if it is cancer it's not a totally bleak outlook as l recovered completely. I've had the odd scare since and they have done colonoscopies as a precaution. I was tested to see if my family are higher risk, they are not, maybe your brother could check this. My brother and sister both had other severe intestinal conditions, frankly l was luckier than them as their conditions were far, far more debilitating than my cancer. Good luck.

When you say you had a routine test do you mean the one that is sent in the post.
My Dr told me they can give false/ positive results.
I wouldn’t hesitate to go private for the colonoscopy.