A medical referral form with lines for information, a red cross symbol, and a stethoscope draped over it.

Positive FOBT - What next?

I have positive result - what should I do now?

You’ve recently undergone a bowel cancer screening test and the result has come back positive.

A positive result means that blood has been found in at least one of your stool samples.

A positive FOBT result is quite common, however it does need to be promptly investigated further to determine the underlying cause.

Blood in the stool can be cause by things such as polyps, haemorrhoids, anal fissure, burst blood vessels or bowel cancer.

A positive FOBT does not mean that you have bowel cancer, but it is essential that you have a colonoscopy to investigate what is causing the bleeding.

Next Steps

You’ve received a positive result for your bowel cancer screening test (FOBT), which means that blood has been found in one or more of your stool samples.

You need to have a colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy should be done within 30 days of receiving a positive FOBT result. A positive FOBT does not necessarily mean that you have bowel cancer, but it is essential that you have a colonoscopy to investigate the cause of the bleeding.

A cartoon illustration of a smiling large intestine with eyes, featuring a red area indicating a health issue. A speech bubble suggests seeing a doctor or gastroenterologist for a referral.

How do I organise a colonoscopy?

You need a referral to see a Gastroenterologist.

If you have private health insurance there are many options for hospitals and Gastroenterologists for you. If you don’t have private health insurance, there are options such as being referred to the Public Health system, or self pay in a private hospital.

You can get a referral from your GP, or POSiTiVE FOBT can organise a Telehealth appointment with a Nurse Practitioner for a referral and assist you with booking a colonoscopy with a Gastroenterologist in Victoria in Metropolitan Melbourne, Gippsland and Bass Coast. If you are in this area please contact us and we can guide you through the process. If you are outside of these locations your GP will be able to help you with a referral to a Gastroenterologist closer to home.

Your GP is a key part of your health care team and you should consult with them if you receive a positive FOBT result. Your Gastroenterologist will keep your GP informed about your treatment plan and results.