Bowel screening letter

I had one a couple of years ago and they told me they were going to request another one after three years. Not sure if I will do it as I am over 80 but if I do I will make sure to ask for pain relief - last time it was extremely uncomfortable. I was all clear last time although they removed a polyp and sent it off for a biopsy. It may not be perfect but it does save lives.

Just do it , maybe save your life and be grateful this facility is available.

My sister always said she went for and did every test…..
No she didn’t and she lied.
Then died with six months of late diagnosis'.

No one likes having tests or doing tests and many don’t tell the truth.
Personally I would take every test offered.

Athrawes

I had a letter quite a while ago now and duly did the deed when I received the pack - again a long time ago - and sent it off and haven't had a word since! I've forgotten all about it. Hopefully all is well

Do chase the results and don't leave it. I once relied on a test results coming back only if something was definitely wrong. Unfortunately, my results were sent to another professional for definite follow up as there was something seriously wrong. That professional went off sick and I carried on thinking I was fine. When I finally rang up to ensure the test was negative, there was a panic to get me seen as soon as possible. I nearly died in the process and was put at risk because of the late results. I would not trust the system again.

I had the first and they found many polyps, one being so large and need three visits back 🙄 I have nothing but good to say and am so grateful, all from taking this test. You have nothing to lose..

And I bet you'd complain if the test just arrived, unannounced, without a previous invitation and opportunity to refuse!

I've always done them, several people I know had cancer picked up by the test and my husband was found to have polyps. It's so quick and easy to do, why would anybody not bother?

I think the reason that they send a letter is to provide a warning shot. Maybe for some people, opening a box for a bowel screening test might be a bit alarming. The uptake is so poor now; they do all they can to warn, prepare and encourage people beforehand.
There will always be some people who sadly have false negative results, but still a test well worth having.

If you are talking about the FIT Tests, my husband has always done his, he got negative again in July by December he was passing blood in his stool’s it is cancer. Colonoscopy confirmed this. He has undergone a 6 1/2 hour bowel surgery to remove part of his bowel and is now receiving chemotherapy. They only pick up cancer if it is bleeding.

HattieTopper

Puzzlelove

Not sure whether to post this here or under health but here goes.

Can anyone enlighten me as to why a letter is sent out to tell us that we are being invited for bowel screening and that the kit will be sent out shortly? Seems like another waste of NHS money. Surely the letter could be sent out with the kit.

My brother in law did the test every single year from the tests being started and he was always given the all clear. Two weeks after receiving the all clear once again, he was rushed into hospital with terminal bowel cancer and died.

I would not touch these tests with a barge pole.

I’m not really sure why you feel this really sad occurence would make you say you wouldn’t touch the tests with a barge pole. That sounds as if you are strongly against them, even though they do often lead to detection before symptoms appear, meaning much more chance of a cure.

Fridayschild That's such good news. It's nice to here of succesful operations, thank you for sharing it.

NannyMags Hope the chemo goes ok & there's not too far to travel for it. Good luck for a really good recovery from this.

Thank you. We are 10 minutes from the Viking Unit, chemo ward. He is coping well so far, some side effects and he is very irritated by the stoma bag but other than that he is coping better than expected.

Apart from improving uptake, could it be that the letter is sent out from a different place than the kits. Our letters come from the local North Wales health trust, but the kits come from Cardiff or Swansea "down south".

My Dad had bowel cancer, which he thankfully recovered from. I was called for a colonoscopy following a routine screening test, they found a polyp which was graded as having a ‘high’ chance of turning cancerous. I was checked for 3 years and then discharged back to routine screening. I cannot understand why anyone would not participate in the screening programme, I understand it isnt 100% but it doesn’t even involve a trip to a surgery. I am very grateful for the screening programme

We’ve had these tests for a few years now, and will continue to ask for them to be sent, now that we are both 77. It is reassuring to be told that it is clear, but do not neglect any symptoms that might occur. Hoping your husband’s treatment goes as smoothly as possible NannyMags. 💐

The first letter is to 'prime' you mentally. It gives people a chance to do some information -gathering about it.

" Do you know they just sent this out without any warning - will I now get Cancer if I don't return it ? " etc etc

They can't do ever right in some people's eyes.

please take the test, i did not, i ended up very ill and then they discovered i had bowel cancer, doctor words when i said i dont want an operation (i was scared), okay....your choice....you have about 6 months left, i took the operation but ended up with only half my bowel because of the size of the tumor, it has left me with serious toilet problems and needing to take a lot of loperamide... but i am still here and that is so worth it when my son or grandson gives me a cuddle. so before you think of it as a waste of nhs money, please think of the cost of thousands of people dying.

I have to request one now as I’m past 75.

www.everlywell.com/products/ for usa
insuers pay many

given staring 45yrs not75 to late for many
if younger can pay them their selves

I think the letter is sent in case people are upset or shocked when the test pack just drops on their doorstep without any warning.

No comment!

I used to do the test until the last one when I was 75. I hadn't realised you could request further tests.
I'm glad a reminder is sent beforehand. M0nica makes the point very well, as ususal.

DaisyL

I had one a couple of years ago and they told me they were going to request another one after three years. Not sure if I will do it as I am over 80 but if I do I will make sure to ask for pain relief - last time it was extremely uncomfortable. I was all clear last time although they removed a polyp and sent it off for a biopsy. It may not be perfect but it does save lives.

Sounds like you had a colonoscopy. A camera up your rectum and usually goes right round to your appendix.

The test this thread is about is what I Call Poo in a Box test. They write to you first to say you are eligible then they send a box with instructions and you just put a very small sample in and it is tested. Results are very quick and come in the post.

I take any test offered! The breast screening programme saved my mother’s life! And mine.

I guess it is so that you are looking out for the kit, and you can look at what it involves before you get it, also if for whatever reason it doesn't turn up you can chase it up
I do it, even if it doesn't catch every possible cancer, I do have every test going for ecerything. One showed up a concern , fortunately it wasn't malignant but it couldmhave been. I've had other things picked up ok tests. The bowel.one is at least not invasive