Bowel screening letter

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.

That’s very sad HattieTopper.

The other side of the coin is a neighbour of ours nearly didn’t do the test as he felt fine and had no issues at all. Turned out she did have bowel cancer. Straight in for major surgery and a long recovery.

Likely having the notification before the test arrives means more people do the test. It does have a very high uptake, around 70%
Unfortunately no screening programme is 100% effective but bowel screening certainly saves lives.

Well, I accept any tests offered.

Sadly, there will always be cases such as the one above, but you are doing what you can to safeguard yourself.

The letters always say it’s not foolproof, and a negative result doesn’t mean you are clear necessarily.

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

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.

Well, I suppose it’s a waste of a kit if the person doesn’t want to use it?

I do think that for repeats i.e. people who have agreed to test previously, there is no need maybe to send the first letter.

No idea but do take the test.👍