Bowel cancer screening result (unclear)

You might get asked to do another test, possibly followed up by a ultrasound of the bowel, scanner inserted where the sun don't shine☺ ...it's painless, I've had it twice.
Probably nothing to worry about, if there HAD been something obvious they would say so. In my case there was something which resulted in a operation to remove the cancer, I was lucky it was caught early as a result of using the bowel screening pack.

Maybe you didn't dig deep enough into the sample with the cardboard tab.
 
I am no expert Neil, but as we have had a history of bowel cancer in my family, I have to go along every couple of years for a colonoscopy, and I have never had one of the blood screening tests. Until you mentioned the test, I had not heard of it, and had just heard of Sigmoidoscopy and Colonoscopy procedures.
It is probably best for you to take their advice, but maybe press for the "camera" procedure if you are really worried.

http://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/screening-fact-sheet
 
A quick Google finds this:

"An unclear result after an FOB test
Some people have an unclear result. This means there was a slight suggestion of blood in the sample. If this happens, the programme will send you another kit and ask you to do the test again. This is because the result could have been caused by other medical conditions. "

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/abo.../about/screening/about-bowel-cancer-screening​

It seems that piles and a few other conditions give an unclear result.
 
An unclear result is exactly that - a result where an answer cannot be given with assurance. The cause might be other factors as Alistair suggests, or it could be that the test didn't work properly for other technical reasons. Don't read any more into it. :)
 
ancient_mariner said:
An unclear result is exactly that - a result where an answer cannot be given with assurance. The cause might be other factors as Alistair suggests, or it could be that the test didn't work properly for other technical reasons. Don't read any more into it. :)
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Yeah your right, I'll just do the next one asap. I've already convinced myself that everything will be fine.
 
@beyond the blue Might be a silly question, but do you eat black pudding?
Only mentioning it because you're `Northern` & not far from Bury. There was something on the local news a while ago now, about folk from the area getting higher than average readings for blood in stool samples & it turned out it was due to eating black pudding, rather than anything more sinister.

Anyroad, try not to worry (I know it's easier said, than done) but worrying won't change the result. Good luck, Neil (y)
 
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OldCarlos said:
@beyond the blue Might be a silly question, but do you eat black pudding?
Only mentioning it because you're `Northern` & not far from Bury. There was something on the local news a while ago now, about folk from the area getting higher than average readings for blood in stool samples & it turned out it was due to eating black pudding, rather than anything more sinister.

Anyroad, try not to worry (I know it's easier said, than done) but worrying won't change the result. Good luck, Neil (y)
Click to expand...

Not heard of that one but yeah that could do it I suppose as BP is made up of blood and stuff. I love BP but don't have it that much although the Bury Black Pudding Company is just up the road from me. Good call.
 
The problem with the DIY BC tests is that they only test for blood and not actually cancer. There can be any amount of reasons for blood in yer s***e, unrelated to cancer (and I do speak from experience here). Most/some are not much to worry about. Hopefully yours, if blood is indeed present, will fall into that category. Good luck, I'm sure it'll be fine.
 
Like wot the BRASH man sed, the DIY tests are the first step and can't diagnose anything sinister, just point out that there's a trace of blood in the stools and there are many reasons for that to happen which are nothing to really worry about - piles are uncomfortable (and a hammeradicktome even more so...) but not life threatening! Redo the DIY test and chase the GP up if the results warrant further investigation. The assorted cameras and whatnots that might end up going the wrong way up the one way street are weird feeling but not painful if they are needed and the reassurance that they hopefully bring make the mild discomfort worthwhile.
 
At my age – they test me all the time ……… every time I go to the docs to renew the pills that he his given me for the results of the last test, he tests me for something else – then when I go back to the UK my daughter in law and son duplicate the test to check on the test I had in France

They love to stick things up your arse to check your prostrate, guts and kidney’s etc.,

I have had a colonoscopy and am signed in for another this August – they like to do them every three years out here – painless and it was the best 3 hours sleep that I have had for years.. taking to my neighbour, (in France), who has the same every couple of years, he said “why don’t you have the other at the same time, (the one where they stick something down your throat into your stomach), I do”

Tests are good IMHO …….. there are many reasons why the test results were unclear in your case …….. a classic one is if you suffer slightly from piles.

But I would say … push it forward so that you get a conclusion …….. and do not worry at all, I know that this is difficult but if you do it will affect your well being.

Everything is treatable and lots of stuff is controllable and curable and modern medicine today is first class……. and most test are negative

I went to the docs in November, he said “I want you to go for your quarterly blood test”, (they must be vampires at the local clinic), anyway the results came and my PSA was up, god knows why, couldn’t believe it ….. so the usual, off to the local clinic for the thing up your arse – all OK and had a good chat to the guy who did it, who was really nice . he said “all OK it is just your age .. what do you expect”

Went back to the docs, he is a mate of mine, bought himself a Leice S2, god knows why, must have more money than sense: had a chat with him and he then said ……. I’ll do an ECG …. 32 Euros please ….. he took my pulse and said “you have an irregular heart beat”, (no idea why he has just decided to mention it as he has been taking my pulse for 6 years)…. I said I know I have always had one and I can feel it when I take my own pulse ….. he said “but I want to check for AF” …… not Auto Focus ….. he gave me all the bits of paper, graphs ………. I mentioned it to my son in the UK …… who decided that they, his wife is a doc., and he runs a clinic would repeat the test while I was home in December – I have an irregular heartbeat and I have always had one, misses a beat every sixth.

Time for a glass of wine – I did a long walk today and have 3 extra points
 
Just make sure they do the down 'scopy before the up one! :P
 
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