Positive occult blood stool test

[Anonymous]

Has anyone had this? It’s a routine screen where you send a stool sample to the lab. I just got results released automatically without any info from my doctor and it’s positive. I have no obvious evidence of blood, though I do feel like I’m bloated a lot and am often constipated. I’m moderately concerned, either that this is something worrying or that I’m not going to have to go through an avalanche of unpleasant tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone had this? It’s a routine screen where you send a stool sample to the lab. I just got results released automatically without any info from my doctor and it’s positive. I have no obvious evidence of blood, though I do feel like I’m bloated a lot and am often constipated. I’m moderately concerned, either that this is something worrying or that I’m not going to have to go through an avalanche of unpleasant tests.

There could be many reasons for positive test result..internal hemorrhoids, polyps, among other things. Regardless, you should now get a colonscopy and get on a screening schedule.

[Anonymous]

You’ll need a colonoscopy now. How old are you? Any family history?

[Anonymous]

Call today for a colonoscopy. My doc is currently scheduling for October.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’ll need a colonoscopy now. How old are you? Any family history?

48. Did the same test last year and negative. Only history is an uncle who was late 70s when he died of colon cancer. Not sure if that counts, due to his age. I do have history of endometrial polyps though, so wouldn’t be surprised if there were polyps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call today for a colonoscopy. My doc is currently scheduling for October.

I have Kaiser. I’m sure they will fit me in in a week or two.

[Anonymous]

Its good you're getting colonscopy irrespective of this result. The age to start is 45 now so you really should do it anyways!
Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its good you're getting colonscopy irrespective of this result. The age to start is 45 now so you really should do it anyways!
Good luck!

That’s wrong. 45 is the age to start screening, not for automatic colonoscopies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’ll need a colonoscopy now. How old are you? Any family history?

48. Did the same test last year and negative. Only history is an uncle who was late 70s when he died of colon cancer. Not sure if that counts, due to his age. I do have history of endometrial polyps though, so wouldn’t be surprised if there were polyps.

Polyps are super common. My mother has some removed at every colonoscopy.

And if you’re bloated and constipated it could “just” be irritable bowel syndrome or something along those lines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its good you're getting colonscopy irrespective of this result. The age to start is 45 now so you really should do it anyways!
Good luck!

That’s wrong. 45 is the age to start screening, not for automatic colonoscopies.

OP just schedule the colonoscopy. (A screening colonoscopy should be done at 45 anyway, so you're due.)

[Anonymous]

(polyps are often not cause for concern and are typically easy to remove, and reduce the chance of them becoming cancerous over time, but they are not "super common")

[Anonymous]

I had this, got a colonoscopy (which I would have put off endlessly), and the gastroenterologist removed one polyp, said the blood was just from hemorrhoids, and to come back in five years. Very reassuring after a lot of worry!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its good you're getting colonscopy irrespective of this result. The age to start is 45 now so you really should do it anyways!
Good luck!

That’s wrong. 45 is the age to start screening, not for automatic colonoscopies.

OP just schedule the colonoscopy. (A screening colonoscopy should be done at 45 anyway, so you're due.)

At 45 you need to be screened, not have a “screening colonoscopy”. Less invasive screening is recommended.

[Anonymous]

GI NP here. You need to have a colonoscopy.

It is not true that less invasive screening is recommended. Screening is screening. Top tier screening is either colonoscopy or annual fecal occult testing. If that is positive, a colonoscopy is recommended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GI NP here. You need to have a colonoscopy.

It is not true that less invasive screening is recommended. Screening is screening. Top tier screening is either colonoscopy or annual fecal occult testing. If that is positive, a colonoscopy is recommended.

Fecal occult screening is less invasive than a colonoscopy. That is what is recommended and a colonoscopy if the LESS INVASIVE test is positive. No, routine screening colonoscopies do not start at 45. Screening does.