Bowel Cancer

Agree with you Paul, it's the preparation that is the worst.

Cancer Research UK explain about the screening here

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

They also explain about the symptoms.

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/type/bowel-cancer/about/bowel-cancer-symptoms#symptoms

If you are offered it then take it, it could save your life and if you have any of the symptoms then see your G.P.

The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Program is offered every two years to everyone between the ages of 60-69 who are registered with a GP in England. And they are starting to extend the screening age range to include those aged 70-74. The results should be returned within two weeks.

The program aims to detect bowel cancer early, when successful treatment and cure is more likely.

The above was taken from the letter that accompanied the test kit I received recently.

If anyone is concerned or wants more information there is a free phone helpline you can call 0800 707 6060

Better to be tested and catch these things early when you have the best chance of a good outcome. I think its a shame we are not offered more tests of this kind for other treatable cancers.

Enclave said:

Just failed my bowel home test .. So have to redo .. Did you know that collie, Brockley, cuecumber, radish among other things can cause a positive reading ... I am now avoiding these until my next home test .. Keep fingers crossed please

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Sorry to hear this Enclave but I wish you the best of luck for a negative test result on your retest. Fingers firmly crossed..

I don't understand why anyone refuses any sort of cancer screening tests. It's madness. A few days of worrying about forthcoming results is better than finding out when it's too late. My husband has recently been for the Triple A (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme) which checks your aorta from top to bottom, looking for any inflammation or weak spots. He self-referred and was given his results there and then. He was motivated to go after my dad died suddenly of an aortic aneurism aged 72, which had no symptoms, and is known as the Silent Killer.

http://aaa.screening.nhs.uk/

Bluetit1802 said:

I don't understand why anyone refuses any sort of cancer screening tests. It's madness. A few days of worrying about forthcoming results is better than finding out when it's too late. My husband has recently been for the Triple A (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme) which checks your aorta from top to bottom, looking for any inflammation or weak spots. He self-referred and was given his results there and then. He was motivated to go after my dad died suddenly of an aortic aneurism aged 72, which had no symptoms, and is known as the Silent Killer.

http://aaa.screening.nhs.uk/

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And I had my AAA test 8 weeks ago and all is fine. No worries there then.
Ain't it great !



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Thanks, I know what I should do but that testing kit has been sitting there for ages.

phoenix said:

Thanks, I know what I should do but that testing kit has been sitting there for ages.

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Blow the dust off the kit and get it sent off-It's worth the peace of mind!

An article in Which? suggested that the NHS were considering flexible sigmoidoscopy at 55 as an alternative/enhancement to the screening program.

However they didn't say how often (if at all) you need a flexible sigmoidoscopy as follow up if your first one is clear.

Or if you still needed to do the '**** on a stick' every couple of years after 60.

The PDF file
http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org/s...s/Bowel Cancer Screening V3.0FinalJan2013.pdf
gives more detail, and the implications seems to be that if you have been screened at 55 and are clear they see no case to re-screen any time soon.

Also noted that the 5-15 minute flexible sigmoidoscopy screening only does the descending colon which catches around 60% of problems but that a full colonoscopy is needed to examine the rest of the bowel to catch the other 40%.

I had surgery at (I think) 57/58 for piles, and as it was done under a work place private health scheme I requested a colonoscopy at the same time (seemed reasonable - general anaesthetic, stuff up my bum, might as well get 'my' money's worth.).

Thankfully that was clear but it does make me wonder if I am now clear for the next 5 years (or how long?).

Cheers

Dave R