Hi everyone
My partner has been urgently referred for a colonoscopy following a high positive FIT test and some bad symptoms. The GP said they’d be looking for cancer. I’m completely spiralling. My brain is constructing horrible thoughts about losing him and I’m just trying to reassure him that we don’t know anything yet. I’m awake all night with worry and googling so much that I’ve really upset myself. I just don’t know what to do to help him and the waiting for a referral letter is making us both ill.
I would really really appreciate any advice.
Thank you x
Hi dawn_38 and sorry to hear about your concerns. I have been in my incurable cancer journey for over 25 years now…. But 2 years back I went through the diagnostic journey your partner is on following a positive FIT.
Colonoscopy was done and that was clear…. blood was due to some haemorrhoids and some long lasting radiotherapy treatment damage but they found my prostate enlarged so this required an MRI and a Prostate biopsy…… nothing was found so only have 6 monthly PSA tests.
Our simple mind set over all the years has been until cancer is actually found you don’t have cancer.
You may find it helpful to call the Macmillan Support Line that us open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, or just a listening ear.
Should you find you and your partner having to navigate a cancer journey the Community is made up of dedicated Support Groups where you will get great support.
In THIS LIST you will find all our many dedicated cancer specific support groups listed and this second list is for our various other General Cancer experience groups.
Do get back to me if you need more information or want to chat more.
Hi dawn_38
I’m of the same mindset of my friend Mike here-you don’t have cancer until they tell you that you do. I‘ve gone through a cancer diagnosis and a recurrence, but I didn’t Google things, and didn’t make assumptions about what was wrong. I’m sorry that your gp has said they are looking for cancer-actually they will be looking for an explanation for the results of the FIT test (which just identifies that blood has been found in the stool but doesn’t confirm the reason why) and the symptoms your husband has been having.
There can be many reasons other than cancer such as piles, diverticulitis, etc, but please try to stay off Google to look for answers while you don’t have enough information at the moment. It cannot diagnose you, but it can frighten you.
As you’re looking for advice, mine would be to concentrate on what you know for now-the facts, not the thoughts. And that is that some symptoms and a test require some further investigation to see what’s going on. Take things one day at a time, don’t be looking into the unknown and worrying about the “what ifs”. What if there’s a simple explanation which isn’t cancer is a more positive way of thinking.
No matter what is found via a colonoscopy, there will be answers, and a way forward with any treatment required. Take care of yourselves and let us know how things go.
Sarah xx
