Bowel Screening
Getting an 'unclear' or 'abnormal' result by post
Around 98 in 100 people tested will receive a normal result.
Out of those 98 people 4 will initially have an unclear result which means that blood has been found in 1-4 of the samples, which could be due to other conditions such as haemorrhoids (piles) or a stomach ulcer. An unclear test result has to be repeated with another FOB test.
An abnormal result happens in around 2 in every 100 tested and means that blood has been found in 5 or 6 of the samples - this is not a diagnosis of cancer but it means people are asked to repeat the test and then if necessary offered further investigation, such as a colonoscopy (NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme January 2016). Of the people we interviewed several had received an 'unclear' or 'abnormal' result by post.
Andrea Giles, specialist screening practitioner, explains what it means to have an unclear or abnormal result.
Andrea Giles, specialist screening practitioner, explains what it means to have an unclear or abnormal result.
An unclear result suggests that there may be some hidden blood in your bowel motion. Because the test result is inconclusive we will send you a further FOB kit through the post for you to complete and return.
An abnormal result may mean that we have found some hidden blood in your bowel motion. An unclear or abnormal result doesn't mean a diagnosis of bowel cancer, but we will offer you a further appointment to see a specialist screening practitioner, or a nurse at a clinic to discuss this.
Some people were not particularly worried when they received the news of an unclear or abnormal result. One man, who was later diagnosed with cancer, said that he found the screening process 'inconvenient' because he had to take time off work. Another man, who was later diagnosed with polyps, felt a 'bit fed up' when he found he had to repeat the test.
He was more concerned about taking time off work than about what the abnormal test result meant for his health.
He was more concerned about taking time off work than about what the abnormal test result meant for his health.
And then what happened? You had another, another was sent to you a month later?
I had a letter saying that the second sample had not proved conclusive, something like that. And that they would be in contact with me in a month's time. I think it was a month or a month's time which they duly did. That one rather confirmed the issue. I did it again then and sent it off and that must have showed a positive again because it wasn't very long before the local hospital sent me a letter saying that I was invited to go for a colonoscopy.
What were your feelings at that stage?
Well I didn't really know much about the terminology. I didn't really know anything about the process and I just thought that it was a damned inconvenience really, having to take time out. I was working in a job where if you have time off you need to find someone who can cover your work. It's not the sort of job that you could actually shut down and stop. Someone else would have to be there with so many people involved. So that was troubling me rather than the ultimate outcome. If you know what I mean, the fact that I'd got to keep making arrangements for things rather than the implication of my health.
He felt 'fed up' when he had to repeat the test but thought that since he had started the screening process he ought to finish it.
He felt 'fed up' when he had to repeat the test but thought that since he had started the screening process he ought to finish it.
Yes so then you got a letter through the post saying that the first test was a little bit abnormal, is that correct?
That's correct, inconclusive, they couldn't really say one way or another.
And what were your feelings when you got that result?
I thought it was a bit of a nuisance but realised it, you know could happen and I was immediately sent a second testing kit which I carried out straight away again.
And what was the result of that one?
That was, they did say it was positive, but then they needed a third test with the first one being inconclusive and so I carried on and did the third test.
And what were your feelings at that stage?
Well a bit fed up of you know.
Yes.
But I thought you've started something you've got to finish it and it's no good going halfway and then calling it off.
A man who had received two abnormal results said that he took the situation 'in his stride'. He did not think he had cancer and suggested many other reasons for the blood in his motions. Further investigation found that there was nothing wrong with his bowels.
He thought his abnormal FOB test result might be due to piles (haemorrhoids) bleeding from his gums, bleeding due to aspirin or perhaps a polyp.
He thought his abnormal FOB test result might be due to piles (haemorrhoids) bleeding from his gums, bleeding due to aspirin or perhaps a polyp.
But I wasn't really too fussed about it [the result], I mean I was thinking not so much for the reasons for the abnormality, I was looking at a 'cop out'. I mean I have this very quick bowel system, so I felt I was pretty well that it wasn't going to be anything very, very serious. It could have been a polyp.
Yes.
I didn't understand polyps until the nurse explained when I went for the physical examination.
So when you had the result coming back abnormal.
Yes.
What was your feeling about that?
I wasn't particularly concerned, because I felt that you know that it could have been one reason that I've already said, it could have been I'd brushed my teeth too violently, it could have been my piles and my wife, I said to her, and she said, 'Well it could be anything really,' you know, when it came back the first time, 'It could be anything.' Then I sent in another test and I was pretty prompt with that one, came back abnormal, didn't bother me at all really, I just took it in my stride.
Other people were less optimistic. When they received unclear or abnormal test results they assumed the worst. This man eventually had further investigations and a cancerous polyp was removed during a colonoscopy.
His test results were abnormal so he assumed the worst and was keen to get on with further investigations.
His test results were abnormal so he assumed the worst and was keen to get on with further investigations.
And how long did you have to wait for the result?
The first time was three days, four days I believe it was, before it came back to say that it was a little bit unclear, would I do another test kit. And which I done, I done the test again that I done in the first place, sent that off and then it was within a week that I got the result back to say that there was a problem and they would like to see me you know for further investigation if that was okay with me.
And what were your feelings at that stage?
Anticipation I suppose of what would be, or what could be. But as quick as I, I can't think of the words, I was thinking the worst obviously, I think you know you do, you just think the worst straight away. But as quick as I was thinking about that I was then thinking well no, you know, let's get something done, let's find out about what's happening like you know. And'
So they invited you to go and meet one of the nurses at the hospital?
They did yes.
Some people had felt anxious when they found out that their test result was not 'normal'. One woman had an unclear result and so had to repeat the test twice. The final two test results were normal but while waiting for the results she worried that if she were diagnosed with cancer she might not be as 'brave' and as 'positive' as she thought many other people would expect her to be.
People who had a spouse or partner usually said that they told them about their result. One man who chose not to tell his wife was not sure why he hadn't - he said she had always been very supportive but he just didn't want to tell her until he could say it was good news. Those who were single, divorced or widowed often felt isolated and concerned about what the future might hold. It was sometimes a relief to confide in an adult child or friend, but some kept the news to themselves because they didn't want to worry anyone else.
Many people felt shocked when they received their unclear or abnormal results. One woman said she felt 'flabbergasted' because she felt so well [Interview 28]. She was also worried about how she would manage if she were diagnosed with cancer because she lived alone. Eventually she had a colonoscopy and two benign polyps were removed.
She said she was completely devastated when the test result came through.
She said she was completely devastated when the test result came through.
The result of the second one, I'm trying, trying to read the letter in my mind but yes, I was complete devastated when the result came through because I'm, I was okay, there was nothing wrong with me, and so on, but I was, yes that is the word I really was flabbergasted when it came through. And the appointment came for me at the hospital and I was very, very concerned, very concerned.
This was when you had the abnormal result?
That's right yes, so I thought well there must be something wrong, there must be something wrong, now what is it, what is it, what is it, how am I going to manage, what will I do, what will happen if I have to go into hospital etc etc, all the, all the things that, that concern you when you're on your own.
Of course.
And no one to chew it over with you see, no one to discuss it with. Do I tell the children or do I not at this stage?
What did you do?
And my daughter has a bit of medical knowledge, she is a radiographer so I did tell her. I wasn't going to but, 'Right give me the telephone number,' I said, 'No don't do anything like that yet, don't do anything like that yet, let's wait and see.' Yes I did tell them in the end, yes, I thought it was only fair. Because I was thinking the worst and I thought well you know something else would probably knock on from this so they would have to know so I did tell them.
A man who had had normal results in 2001 and 2003 was shocked when he received an unclear result in 2005. He had led a healthy lifestyle so assumed he was well. When a repeated test result came back abnormal he was 'extremely upset' and agitated. He went to see his GP to discuss the situation. Subsequently he had a colonoscopy and two benign polyps were removed.
His abnormal test result made him so agitated that he went to his GP, who was reassuring.
His abnormal test result made him so agitated that he went to his GP, who was reassuring.
Ah well, I was quite concerned because when it came through the post and I read it and it said it was unclear, yes I was rather concerned, yes, because I naturally assumed, I know it sounds ridiculous but I just assumed that it would come back always clear, possibly because I considered I'd led a very healthy lifestyle, I'd exercised regular and I'd also eaten all, very good diet. I mean I haven't eaten red meat since I was in my thirties so consequently you assume you're bullet proof [laughs].
So that was a bit of a shock?
It was a shock, yes it was a shock indeed yes.
And then they asked you to repeat it again?
They sent the test kit yes and I sent it back without delay, the following day actually, I always managed to do the test kit in a day. And then that came back quite quickly and this time it said the result was abnormal. Apparently later I was told that in one, only in one of the envelopes was there trace of blood so, but even then though it was still classed as abnormal and I was advised that I should seek further investigation.
Can you tell me again about your feelings when you heard it was abnormal?
Oh gosh, I was absolutely, I was very nervous actually. It worried me that much that I made an appointment to see my GP [laughs] to tell him what had happened you know and I was quite agitated, and extremely upset I suppose really, yes I was. Possibly more so than I should have been but I suppose as an individual that's how I am [laughs].
And what happened when you went to the GP?
He spoke to me, quite, you know reassuring really and he just gave me a general talk. He was very good and just, he tried to calm me down a bit because I was really rather on edge you know.
Of course, understandably. So he reassured you.
Yes he did, yes he did.
A woman had tests in 2000 and 2003, which were both normal. Then in 2005 her result came back abnormal. This was followed by another abnormal result. Even though she knew that an abnormal result might be due to something other than cancer she felt 'really frightened'. Eventually she had a colonoscopy and two polyps were removed; one was cancerous.
She felt frightened when another test result came back 'abnormal'.
She felt frightened when another test result came back 'abnormal'.
And, and as I said we were both lucky. And then three years on, we had another test come which we did, and I didn't bother about that, I just did it. And, first because I'd had the good luck with the first one, and, and that was fine...and then we had another one, 2005, October, November time it was. And we did them, and then this letter plops through the post, saying that mine was abnormal, and nothing to worry about because sometimes it does happen. So there was nothing to worry about, but would I please do another test, and if that one was alright, they would send me another one in three months time to double check it. So I did it. And wow, it came back abnormal. Well I just knew, when I looked at the letter I thought, 'ahh,' and I said to my husband, 'It's abnormal again.' And I was really frightened then because I thought two abnormal's is not right. One you could, you know, you can excuse that, perhaps it wasn't right, a bit off, but two, one after the other, that was a bit scary I must admit.
Even though these people had received unclear or abnormal results they did not seem to mind receiving them by post and none complained about it.
One man said that if the result had come by phone it might have been alarming because it would have seemed more urgent.
Last reviewed May 2016.
Last updated May 2016.
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