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What Causes Positive Fecal Immunochemical Test Results?
Posted on
Thu, 20 Nov 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 20 Nov 2014
Answered on
Wed, 10 Dec 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi doctor, I'm somewhat concerned about my colon issue. I'm a 29 years old male with normal weight. About 2 months ago I had a fecal immunochemical test and it was positive (112 ng/mL while normal range is <50). I had another FIT test one week after and it was normal (<20 ng/mL). My hematology is normal, more specifically, RBC is normal. My doctor said although it's unlikely to be something serious, she still booked me for a colonoscopy. Last week I had another FIT test and it was normal again (<20 ng/mL). I also had blood work done for tumor marker CEA and CA 19-9, they both were normal.
I've had intermittent upper right abdominal pain for more than a year now, sometimes the pain could be diffuse, and could happen all over the place on my abdominal region, sometimes even to the back and waist. My bowel movement is normal, usually once or twice in the morning. I didn't lose weight and my appetite is good.
I think for the positive FIT test I collected a little bit more stool into the kit.
My family have no history of colon cancer, although my father passed away at age 58 due to pancreatic cancer. My cousin (my father's sister's daughter) had breast cancer at the age of 40.
It's still a month away from my colonoscopy as my doctor didn't consider I'm at high risk, however I'm getting stressed for the uncertainty. I have a few questions:
1. What's the possible cause for my FIT result was positive for one time?
2. Should I worry about colon cancer? What's the likelihood for people under 30 to develop colon cancer?
3. Should I worry about colon polyps? More specifically, adenoma？
I've had intermittent upper right abdominal pain for more than a year now, sometimes the pain could be diffuse, and could happen all over the place on my abdominal region, sometimes even to the back and waist. My bowel movement is normal, usually once or twice in the morning. I didn't lose weight and my appetite is good.
I think for the positive FIT test I collected a little bit more stool into the kit.
My family have no history of colon cancer, although my father passed away at age 58 due to pancreatic cancer. My cousin (my father's sister's daughter) had breast cancer at the age of 40.
It's still a month away from my colonoscopy as my doctor didn't consider I'm at high risk, however I'm getting stressed for the uncertainty. I have a few questions:
1. What's the possible cause for my FIT result was positive for one time?
2. Should I worry about colon cancer? What's the likelihood for people under 30 to develop colon cancer?
3. Should I worry about colon polyps? More specifically, adenoma？
Brief Answer:
Not colon cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I have gone through your history.
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) was positive for one time as sometimes in this test false positive result can occur and the test becomes positive though you are not having polyps or cancer.This happens 25% of time.
This can be the result of inflammation or hemorrhoids causing blood to be present in stool.
Your symptoms suggest you are not having colon cancer and you do not need to worry. Chances of people under 30 developing colon cancer is only 5%.
A colon polyp is a small clump of cells that forms on the lining of the colon. Most colon polyps are harmless. But over time, some colon polyps can develop into colon cancer, which is often fatal when found in its later stages.
Anyone can develop colon polyps. You're at higher risk if you're 50 or older, are overweight or a smoker, or have a personal or family history of colon polyps or colon cancer.
About two thirds of all polyps are adenomatous. Only a small percentage of them actually become cancerous. But nearly all malignant polyps are adenomatous.
Most polyps can be removed with biopsy forceps or a wire loop that snares the polyp. This may be aided by injecting a liquid under a polyp to lift it off the wall for removal. If a polyp is larger than 0.75 inches a liquid may be injected under it to lift and isolate the polyps from surrounding tissue so that it can be removed.
I will advise you to do a colonoscopy test yearly.
I will also advise you to eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains, reduce your fat intake, limit alcohol consumption, avoid tobacco and stay physically active and maintain a healthy body weight.
Regards
DR DE
Not colon cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I have gone through your history.
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) was positive for one time as sometimes in this test false positive result can occur and the test becomes positive though you are not having polyps or cancer.This happens 25% of time.
This can be the result of inflammation or hemorrhoids causing blood to be present in stool.
Your symptoms suggest you are not having colon cancer and you do not need to worry. Chances of people under 30 developing colon cancer is only 5%.
A colon polyp is a small clump of cells that forms on the lining of the colon. Most colon polyps are harmless. But over time, some colon polyps can develop into colon cancer, which is often fatal when found in its later stages.
Anyone can develop colon polyps. You're at higher risk if you're 50 or older, are overweight or a smoker, or have a personal or family history of colon polyps or colon cancer.
About two thirds of all polyps are adenomatous. Only a small percentage of them actually become cancerous. But nearly all malignant polyps are adenomatous.
Most polyps can be removed with biopsy forceps or a wire loop that snares the polyp. This may be aided by injecting a liquid under a polyp to lift it off the wall for removal. If a polyp is larger than 0.75 inches a liquid may be injected under it to lift and isolate the polyps from surrounding tissue so that it can be removed.
I will advise you to do a colonoscopy test yearly.
I will also advise you to eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains, reduce your fat intake, limit alcohol consumption, avoid tobacco and stay physically active and maintain a healthy body weight.
Regards
DR DE
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Thank you doctor. So sometimes I have morning urgency and want to go for bowel movement twice in the morning is unrelated with cancer or polyps? Sometimes after I drink cold drinks or coffee I could have diarrhea (very watery), but it never lasts to the next day).
According to this page: http://lifehacker.com/what-does-the-shape-and-color-of-my-poop-mean-0000
Most of the time my BW is type 4, however sometimes I got type 6 and 7. The color is brown or yellow.
Thank you!
According to this page: http://lifehacker.com/what-does-the-shape-and-color-of-my-poop-mean-0000
Most of the time my BW is type 4, however sometimes I got type 6 and 7. The color is brown or yellow.
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
take foods which are high in fiber
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Sometimes morning urgency can occur and bowel movement can happen twice in morning and it is a natural process and is not related to cancer or polyps.
Since diarrhea does not lasts for the next day and most of the time your BW is type 4 i would advise you to take foods which are high in fiber such as fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grain.
Drink enough liquids to keep the stool in a soft formed consistency .
Eat yogurt and probiotics to promote healthy intestinal flora.
Avoid foods which cause very loose stools such as spicy, greasy foods and onions.
Your symptoms suggest you are not having colon cancer and you are absolutely fine.
If you have no more clarifications then please rate the answer and close the thread.
Regards
DR DE
take foods which are high in fiber
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Sometimes morning urgency can occur and bowel movement can happen twice in morning and it is a natural process and is not related to cancer or polyps.
Since diarrhea does not lasts for the next day and most of the time your BW is type 4 i would advise you to take foods which are high in fiber such as fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grain.
Drink enough liquids to keep the stool in a soft formed consistency .
Eat yogurt and probiotics to promote healthy intestinal flora.
Avoid foods which cause very loose stools such as spicy, greasy foods and onions.
Your symptoms suggest you are not having colon cancer and you are absolutely fine.
If you have no more clarifications then please rate the answer and close the thread.
Regards
DR DE
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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