Had Fit test done took back to GP on the 4th July 2024

Hello Joanne

Thank you for contacting us at Macmillan. My name is George, and I'm one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the support line. I'm sorry to read about you finding blood in your stool and the confusion that the reception staff has caused at your GP surgery. I also acknowledge that this confusion and anxiety are understandable, given what you have already been through with your lung cancer in 2021. Unfortunately, we cannot access NHS medical records at Macmillan and only provide general information and support.

There is usually only the need to do one faecal immunochemical test (FIT), for which I acknowledge you still haven't had the results. The only time they would do a second test is if the first had been spoiled or lost, and there is nothing in what you have said in your question that suggests this, and this would also be rare. You can ask them to ask the GP why they are asking you to pick up a second test, but this could also easily be a miscommunication, and the reception staff have yet to realise you have already submitted a sample through them.

The guidelines suggest that your GP will have the results within 3-5 days from the day it's received by the testing Lab, which would be the 4th of July, according to what you have stated above.  

I must stress that if the test comes back positive, this doesn't mean you have cancer. It means they have found blood in your stool, so they would conduct a further procedure, such as an endoscopy, to look inside the bowel.

Less than 10% of positive FIT tests are ever cancer, and 90% are caused by other non-cancer causes, such as inflammation in the bowel and haemorrhoids, which are easily treated.

Understandably, tests like this after previous cancer treatment can be stressful and cause further anxiety when waiting for results. In the meantime, you may find websites such as NHS: Every Mind Matters and Anxiety UK helpful in managing your stress and anxiety at this time while waiting for the results and discussing these with your GP.

I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to call to speak about your concerns or any current anxieties. If you are unable to call, you might consider speaking to us via webchat.

The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial, and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

Kind Regards George

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

Ref GH / GeS

Thank you George. Rung my doctor's about the other Fit Test kit and receptionist said to ignore and now she has put me on their list for GP to ring as soon as my Stool Fit Test is back with them. I am on anxiety Tablets and depression tablets. Also see mental health doctor at my doctor's every 3 months. I do worry of Cancer and hope it's not. It's just with having lung cancer three years ago and COPD problems it's a big concern for me. But I'm trying to think positive and no news is good news and my test still not back yet. Sooner it's back sooner I know it was done on being urgent and it worries me with how long it's taking but I know the Lab will have a good look to make sure they've seen everything. So fingers crossed it's hemorrhoids or something not cancer. But I still worry it's so hard not worry about it. Thank you though for your message I really appreciate what you Have said..

Thank you 

Hi I have Fit Test results back and it's raised at 27 and waiting to see consultant on the Cancer 2 week pathway and had phone call to see consultant at Whiston Hospital in Merseyside on the 22nd July and petrified of what might happen next my granddad had lots of problems with his bowels while he was alive and he died of a brain tumor in 2001. It's worry for me and really scared. Joanne.

Dear Joanne

Thank you for getting back in touch with us. I’m Gemma and I’m one of George’s colleagues here at the Macmillan cancer support line. 

I’m sorry to read just how worried and scared you are feeling right now. Waiting for results can be an extremely anxious time, regardless of how the results turn out. There is no right or wrong way for you to feel while you wait. It may reassure you a bit that it is common to feel scared, worried, and anxious at this time.

Having a history of anxiety and depression can amplify these emotions and we would urge you to reach out to your mental health team for extra support while you are facing this uncertainty.  It can be helpful to focus on looking after yourself by eating well, keeping active or getting enough rest, and staying connected to the things you love.

It may help a little to know that although your FIT test has resulted in a referral under the 2-week pathway, it does not mean that you will definitely be found to have cancer. The national guidelines tell GPs to refer any results over 10 urgently; in a lot of cases this will be to rule out cancer first. This approach will often diagnose whatever other cause may be. The FIT test is very sensitive, and the results range from 0 to over 400. Many things that aren’t cancer can cause a raised number.

Talking over your fears can be very important in helping to process emotions and for you to feel supported. If it would help to share how you are feeling please do consider giving us a call or reach out to us on webchat. We are often able to help best when we have the opportunity to ask questions.

With kind regards

Gemma J,

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) , launch a webchat, or send us an email. 

Ref/PN