Bowel Screening for cancer

I recently had a mammogram and did my poo sticks at about the same time. Both results turned up on the same day. I held on to the envelopes, thinking that the next minute could change my life. Then mentally smacked myself and told myself not to be such a drama queen. I opened them and both were ok. My DH is being treated for prostate cancer after a blood test and his brother who we persuaded to also have a test has now been diagnosed with it. We think his has been caught early enough to be sorted out. I am so grateful that we are given the opportunity now for early diagnose and treatment of this horrible disease cancer, in some of its forms. I cannot understand anyone who refuses the poo sticks test. A few minutes each day for three days while you do it, could save your life and prevent all the heartache that could follow. Not just for you but your family as well. I have a friend who won't go for the tests on offer as she doesn't want to know. She lives on her own and says it's different for her as she doesn't have a DH to support her if she has an early diagnosis. Are there any ladies on this thread who live alone, who could give me a positive argument I can put to her. She does have her sister and good friends.

Rosiebee
"I recently had a mammogram and did my poo sticks at about the same time"

As for your friend....that is a ridiculous argument. Ask her who will support her if she has a diagnosis when a cancer is well advanced?

Thanks to everyone who posted. It's clear we have a way to go in improving the uptake of the test. Fear of getting a result indicating a problem seems to be one of the reasons. For anyone worried about this I would say that the figures for a complete recovery after an early diagnosis are very high. If you have any concerns about cancer please check out the Cancer Research UK cancer help pages.http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/

DH and I always do our tests. Last year my result came back as abnormal and I had to do a further one. Thankfully it came back normal. My DS failed to do hers (not really sure why) and for the last 3 years has been having treatment for bowel cancer. It has been very difficult and she is still having many problems. If only she had done the test it would have been caught at an earlier stage and treated more easily.

In total it only takes 15 minutes every two years. I believe we can all spare this amount of time. It's only slightly unpleasant to do but it can be a life saver. For anyone hesitating, PLEASE do the test.

We live in the East Midlands, too, sara4, and have done the tests since we were in our sixties. Thankfully, so far everything has been OK. The age range is 60 to 69, which is maybe why you haven't been contacted, but, in some areas, that range has now been extended to 75. If you google 'NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme' there is a lot of info. The free helpline is: 0800 707 60 60.

You can also request one I think!

Thanks Aka that gave me such a chuckle- and a very weird picture in my head.

I had to see my doctor on another matter and she was surprised we weren't in the screening programme. She said as we were over 75 we could self refer and gave me the phone number. We did do the tests in the past, about 12 years ago in a private programme. Thank you very much Gransnetters for help with this, now I must make the phone call. We must have fallen through the net at some point.

Having just turned 60 I received the poo test kit soon after. I am trying to overcome my feelings of disgust and read the instructions.
I do know how important this is as DH had bowel cancer last year and has had a colostomy.
Can't be as hard as a smear test I suppose. I will get around to it, another day.

Treebee- I've done it several times now. It's fine honestly - nice when you've finished but feels odd putting it in the post box !

I'm very surprised at the age of some members!

I have to remind myself I'm no spring chicken myself...

Yes Ana - I wonder who is the oldest and who the youngest GNer - I guess I'm in the older half at 67?

Well, there are certainly members in their 50s. Not so many in their 80s that I know of. Some members actually sound younger than their years, is what I actually meant.

Blimely, scrub an 'actually' from that last post!

You've got me thinking now about how old I think some members actually are actually.

That's good!

We should start a new thread "Guess the age of a member".

Every time it arrived I've been constipated and couldn't perform.
Must try better next time

Psychosomatic, Galen

In the older half at 67? Good heavens, I didn't even become a grandmother until I was 64! I think we have a lot of members in their 70s, 80s possibly fewer, but I know people in their late 80s and 90s who are completely at home online.