Bowel test

No I don’t feel anxious I just do them and hope for the best, I know of two people that have died from bowel cancer, and three others that are living with it, I’m very grateful that I have received mine in the past, I don’t hesitate to do them

Yes, my ruddy brother!!

Sorry, am going to be a bit blunt here ..... but I do know that anxiety is a horrible thing as I have it over other things.

My Dad died at age 62 with bowel cancer - no signs or symptoms whatsoever, (he was an medic so knew), and his mother had half her bowel removed in the 1950's. Therefore my brother and I have a familial chance of getting bowel cancer and I was advised by the geneticists that I had 5 yearly colonoscopies as should my brother ...... But despite having private health insurance from work, which in over 30 years he has never used, he will not even put a bit of pooh in a tube. Now I can understand a fear of doing it, but it could be far far worse if you didn't??

Colonoscopies aren't particularly pleasant, but neither is having major surgery and a Colostomy and having to deal with that on a daily basis, which I do for a reason totally unconnected to bowel cancer.

It's worth it if only to prevent it getting that bad that they do have to firstly do a colonoscopy, but then possibly have to cut half your bowel away and you may have to pooh in a bag?

Honestly - it's worth putting the pooh in a tube xx

I always do the test as does DH. We'd want to know, whatever happens. Crazy not to, IMO.

Granmarderby10

I have a feeling that as this test is a relatively new kid on the block there is a tendency to over focus on the negative outcomes because it has been less talked about generally and people aren’t as informed about that part of our body.

It isn't a new kid, just a newer version of what used to be called an FOB in the trade - Faecal Occult Blood, which you used to have to smear a bit of pooh on a bit of cardboard which would be sent to the lab to see if there was any old blood in it which would signify a problem.

The new style test is so much simpler! Only one sample, not five days worth. DH and I have just had to do ours. So reassuring when you get a negative, though still waiting for DH’s.

I have every test going but never feel anxious as I know that if they find anything sinister it hasn’t been around for long. That is the whole point isn’t it?

My husband, on the other hand, avoided doctors and tests. He was too much of a man for that type of thing.
His prostate cancer was too far advanced by the time they found it and he died 10 months later.

When did the men in your life last have a PSA test? It is a simple blood test, nothing more. Women go through embarrassing and uncomfortable tests regularly, all your men need to do is have a tiny amount of blood taken. Please make them go to have the test.

Strongly agree with Espee that men over 50 should request a psa blood test.
Some years ago a friend was diagnosed so I suggested my dh get tested too. To our total surprise he was also diagnosed with prostate cancer. Both are well now and are checked twice a year.
A simple test for anything can and does save lives. It might make some nervous but really, Just do it.

Sorry Esspee typo.

I agree too. I wish my husband would go for one, too. He stubbornly refuses.

I always did the tests and they were always negative, the last one was just about three months before being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Not trying to scare people but the test picks up on blood in the stool, if you have no bleeding then it won't raise a marker.
Be vigilant and if you have signs that something is wrong seek advice don't just rely on a test.
DH went to the GP as soon as he developed symptoms of Prostate cancer but it had already spread. If I was running a medical practice I would do an annual blood test on males say when they attended for flu injection.

Ditto to men getting a PSA test. We’ve lost more than one friend to prostate cancer and have friends/relatives who are living with it, some in a better state than others.

Because of this, dh makes a point of getting tested once a year.

Auntieflo

We both did the tests when they were sent.

But now, presumably because we are too old, DH is 83, I am 80, they are no longer sent out to us.

The bowel screening is done up to the age of 74 but you can request further tests if you want them.

DH and I have done them throughout the period that they were sent out to us and I wouldn’t say we were anxious about them. It isn’t very pleasant to do it but the benefits outweigh this and we have always received the results very quickly so no we haven’t been anxious about doing the tests.

I always do my test and so far so good. Negative. My brother in law didn't do his and died of bowel cancer. He was told he could have been helped if he had done the test. A tragic loss of a lovely man

We all suffer anxiety one way and another because we worry about the outcome of tests. My fear has always been the smear test I have had quite a few procedures in that particular area. The actual smear test has always been painful for me.

The bowel cancer the test you do at home is painless and the results come through quickly. I also believe that when it’s caught early after treatment the results are usually very successful take the test.

Yes, I get anxious because my mum had bowel cancer. She ignored the signs for a year but came through with surgery and chemo so I always do the test as the sooner cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat and cure.

Witzend I agree re the PSA test. Fortunately my husband goes for all his tests. A few years ago we were watching a campaign on TV outlining the symptoms of prostate cancer and he realised he had one of the symptoms and went to the GP. He did indeed have prostate cancer and consequently is here to tell the tale.

Don't try to think about what you are doing, just do it. I lost my cousin to it last summer she had put off going to Dr,s as she was busy with her Chronically ill husband and grandchildren. It only took six weeks from diagnosis to the end. Then she had gone.
Now the family is faced with the DNA diagnostic tests for breast cancer as I lost a cousin in OZ last week and have one suffering in England. Both countries have said there is and has been so much in the family all the females will probably be tested. I dread these things as well and as another OP said we all joked about it at work to make it better, my chemist's assistant told me she found it so repulsive she did not send enough and had to repeat.
Thinking of you a lot of us feel the same.

I don't like taking tests but I do them - it doesn't take long and can save your life. I've had a colonoscopy in the past. That wasn't pleasant but worth it. The staff were great. I'm over the age of general breast cancer testing and having trouble finding where I can have one done. Just because I'm 'old' doesn't mean I'm ready for the 'off'. I find the test VERY uncomfortable but again it can save your life.

My brother died of bowel cancer in 2003 unfortunately there were no tests then. I have had colonoscopies and blood tests since as well as doing their faecal blood tests and I would do any and every test available to me including breast screening, we are so lucky that we have screening now, if it has been around in 2003 maybe my brother would not have died

Tests for anything doesn't bother me . If anyone ones to test me for anything I always say yes. I don't worry about the results because there is no point. I have been ill for 34 years finally this year I found out what it was all thanks to my neurologist who had my blood genetically tested. I was born with it and it's rare. I am 64 now my husband died from malignant melanoma grade 4 when he was 47. So having tests done is nothing I am grateful that in this country we can get tested for various things. And because of testing more people can live a longer life. Unfortunately we always knew my husband wouldn't live 5 years he lived 3.

It's better to know if something is wrong than die in ignorance.

The bowel test may save your life. I do it every 2 years.

As well as bowel cancer my husband also had prostate cancer found in 2008. It required his prostate to be removed as it was found to be a rapid growing cancer. No follow up chemo required for that as caught early. He has two checks a year and now 15yrs clear. I think all men should have psa tests but seemingly the results aren’t good enough. Consultant said his brothers should definitely be checked also which they didn’t want to do.

Auntieflo

We both did the tests when they were sent.

But now, presumably because we are too old, DH is 83, I am 80, they are no longer sent out to us.

You are too old to be invited but you can still request a screening every 2 years.... call 0800 707 60 60 ( free helpline number)

I think it’s normal to be nervous about test results. Also we’ve got to realise that they have limitations, in fact the letter tells you to contact your GP if you develop symptoms after a negative test. But like others I would be even more anxious if they didn’t test, so I intend to going on requesting them even after the recalling age.

I wore my Stealers Wheel t-shirt to bed and found myself stuck in the middle with you.