QFIT TEST

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Good morning 

I have recently had a QFIT test done via gp and this is what has come back 

Quantitv faecal immunochem tst Commentary: (nali) - Book Appointment within 1 week GP
• Quantitv faecal immunochem tst (14 ug Hb/g)

they have booked me in for a telephone call to discuss these results but not untill next week. 
I am obviously going out of my mind with worry. Is the 14 ug the result number? 

and what does this mean please? 

I have had pelvis pain and lower back pain but normal toilet each morning. 
have had bowel obstruction in past but always sorted itself out. 

please help 

many thanks 

Amie 

  • Good afternoon, Amie,

     

    Thank you for getting in touch, and welcome to our online community.  My name is Lisa, and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.  

     

    I’m so sorry to hear that you are worried about the results of your qFIT test.  Having to wait to discuss results can be an extremely difficult time.  Many people feel anxious during this time.

     

    As you are probably already aware, bowel screening aims to find bowel cancer early, which can make it easier to treat and potentially cure.  The Faecal Immunochemical Test (qFIT) looks for tiny traces of blood that a person might not be able to see and which could be a sign of cancer.  A positive FIT test will tell your doctor that there is bleeding occurring somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract.  While it could be due to early bowel cancer, there could also be other conditions that could cause blood loss, such as ulcers, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, and haemorrhoids.  Even swallowing blood from gums that may be bleeding or nosebleeds can impact on the FIT test.  However, if blood is found, then further tests, such as a colonoscopy, are usually needed.

     

    If the FIT test is positive (>10 μg Hb/g faeces), it does not ‘prove’ that a person has cancer as there can be other possible causes of bleeding.  The amount of haemoglobin (type of protein in red blood cells) that is detected per gram of stool is quantified, such as the result of 14 μg Hb/g, that you were given.

     

    You mentioned that you have had pelvis pain and lower back pain but normal bowel habits each morning.  I see you have had a bowel obstruction in the past, but it has always sorted itself out.   We do not have access to anyone’s NHS medical records here, but it’s important that your GP is aware of your symptoms. 

     

    People often feel anxious while they are waiting to find out more.  There are things you can do to help when feeling worried while waiting to discuss your results. Sometimes it can help to prepare some questions that you can ask your GP.

     

    I do hope that this information is helpful.  However, we often find that we can help more by exploring any questions you may have over the phone.  You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts.  You can phone us free on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm) or send us an email.

     

    Take care and all the best, Amie,

     

     

    Lisa R, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    Ref/BS/LiR