Bowel cancer screening and RT

Hi Dogs4me I had the same just after RT, my oncologist told me to have the FIT test (and all other tests).  Firstly, if anything is found it is likely to be as a result of RT but you can discuss that, later on.  Secondly, you want to remain in the screening system and refusing one now may get you taken off.  
Despite having occasional rectal bleeding, my FIT test has never picked anything up.

Thank you David

That does make sense but I do wonder whether, if anything were found, a colonoscopy would be possible/wise if the bowel is already inflamed from radiotherapy. If not it seems like waiting until it has calmed down a bit before sending the sample. I keep hoping his kit will come tomorrow so he can maybe do it tomorrow before his appointment which is late afternoon.  Although in a way the same problems would apply if something were found.

Thank you again. I guess we will see what they say tomorrow

I had wondered about this - having just finshed my RT, if one gets internal bleeding (not that I noticed any at all with myself so far) but whether it could produce a falso positive.

If I remember correctly I had my last screen last year so it will be next May or so when I am due but some people like your hubby will have their time come up much sooner after if not coinciding with the RT.

Well we asked the radiologist who talked to us before hubby's first fraction on Monday and he didn't know anything about bowel screening! So I rang the screening service and they said they weren't medically trained so couldn't advise but that the test would last for a year and he could send it in anytime up until then.

Earlier today I had the idea of asking about it on 'ask an expert' on here. The nurse's advice was to wait for a few weeks after finishing treatment and then ask specialist when they felt it would be appropriate to do the test. So I think that is what he plans to do. Tbh I don't think either of us could cope with the anxiety of what could be a false positive and maybe unnecessary investigations, which is pretty much what the nurse said as well

Thank you for listening to my ramblings! 

Karen

Hello Karen (Dogs4me ) 

No you don't want to go down there (no pun intended)

Dogs4me said:

anxiety of what could be a false positive and maybe unnecessary investigations,

On my MRI 4.5 years ago - there was "something that needed to be looked at", so a few months down the line it was a "colonoscopy". 

I follow the instructions to "clear myself out" but on the day the man says - you've done a good job but there's still some "debris" (for want of a better word) up there. Lets do it again in 4 weeks time!!

So 4 weeks later:

Well. he's up there, sees a polyp, goes to snip it off and the bloody thing breaks. Out it comes and yes - a new one goes back up . Polyp cut off (no sign of cancer) and a thank you very much, see you again in 3 years time! 

So 3 months ago we go again and perfect - it's a lady this time. I watch the whole thing on the TV and in her words.

"No polyps, No piles, No cancer - No more Colonoscopies!!" .

And two weeks ago i did my 2 yearly FIT test and all clear.

As you say, you don't need unnecessary investigations, although it's nice to know you have no issues up there!! .

Kind regards - Brian.

That sounds awful Brian! 

The thought had occured to me that the fact that nothing untoward showed in that area on his MRI or the CT element of his PET scan is slightly reassuring that a short delay should be OK. He will do it but once this is all settled down