Bowel Screening

I agree. My husband's bowel cancer was found and successfully treated as a result of this test. Lots of people ignore the test because it sounds yucky but it is really simple and worth doing.

The bowel screening is from 60 to 74, some parts of the uk offer it at 55.
Cervical screening is offered to women aged 25 to 64 its offered every three years between the ages of 26 and 49, and every five years between the ages of 50 and 64.
Breast cancer screening is offered to women aged 50 to 70 .

I agree its very poor that the nhs have an age cap on screening for cancer.

Just as someone on another thread asks is she a coward for not going to the doctor, I was being a coward and very nervous about this test. I have to admit I was also a bit squeamish about carrying out the proecedure and binned the pack a couple of times.

However the last time one arrived I just said to myself, 'Get on with it woman!' The results came back clear and the relief was worth it. The test isn't all that messy honestly (and I'm fussy )and I then knew I no longer had anything to worry about. It truly is worth doing and even if I'd been called for further investigation it would have been far better hiding my head in the sand.

I would urge anyone to do it.

BoldGinny42 well done

Unfortunately I have been unable to use the test - as I have retrocele plus piles, and other problems, I rarely excrete anything resembling a sausage shape or stool that can be caught for testing, and certainly not three days in a row. I usually need a hand to exert pressure around the area in order to expel anything and/or when I do it is just tiny pieces that explode everywhere. (I always have to use a loo brush to clean the bowl after flushing). When I consulted my GP about the prolapsed rectum recently, she asked if I did the test and I explained the above, thinking she would arrange an alternative. Not so, she merely gave me a prescription for suppositories which are so big and slippery it is imposiible go get them past the piles.That is why, as per another forum, I have given up on doctors and will accept death when it comes, with "Nobody listened" on my gravestone.

Just to say breast screening in most areas is now offered until age 73, and will be rolled out to all areas by end of year. You can request screening if you are not called and over 70.

My very early cancer was found from these tests as was my bil ,s who as op op this week would urge anyone who can to do this test my hubby just posted his this morning I have several friends who throw them away everyone as a right to make their own choice . Sorry you are having problems starbird

In my experience it's not the test itself that people need to be wary of - it's what happens next. To my knowledge medical science has evolved to make diagnostic methods as comfortable and non-invasive as possible - the Colonoscopy that is used now - is a complete reversal of this trend. I was given a laxative substance that heats up by itself in the jug, after being mixed with water, on drinking it with very little instructions from the hospital I had to call an ambulance as I felt ill - it turns out I was ok. On complaining to the hospital I was sent a white substance and a diet sheet that was totally confusing - when I was supposed to be clearing out my bowel for this test. When I asked to speak to the actual doctor about it I was firstly re-directed to a Manager then when I did get to speak to the doctor his attitude was - how dare you enquire about your own treatment. I declined the whole ridiculous situation.
On having an initial consultation with a Nursing Practioner - whatever that is - I got the distinct impression that their funding relied on getting quotas of victims for this so-called service.
The final straw was when I came across a number of people who had narrowly escaped having their bowel perferated by the camera they poke up your rear end.
I now learn that there is a gentler method that screens the lower part of the bowel involving a good old fashioned enema - but that is for under 55's only. I'm waiting till they can develope a method for finding out via your DNA which is just around the corner it seems.
I also heard that about 50% of people decline this test - if more do they'll stop treating older people as part of target quotas and like human beings.

As an add on - I had Breast Cancer 15 years ago and found it myself - a lump. I didn't have myself screened before that as nobody does who is younger, unless there is a real reason. I stopped being screened after the purscribed 5 years after treatment.
These constant bids to medicalise people because they're older, to fulfill government funding targets should be scaled back.
The last thing older people need to be told and given constant reminders of is that they have joined the Cult of Death - that all normal activities and interests in life should cease and that you should become obsesses with illness and death - totally negative.

starbird - I get suppositories online from a company called Fleet who are in the US. I buy a huge tub and that way the postage is worth it and they last for ages.

You can get them from ebay:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/322050898765?lpid=122&chn=ps&googleloc=9045901&poi=&campaignid=207297426&device=c&adgroupid=13585920426&rlsatarget=pla-142405555266&adtype=pla&crdt=0

Or from here: www.luckyvitamin.com/p-143448-c-b-fleet-co-inc-fleet-glycerin-suppositories-laxative-50-suppositories?locale=en-gb&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=fpl&utm_campaign=googlebase_GB&scid=scplp2947305&gclid=CjwKEAjw26C9BRCOrKeYgJH17kcSJACb-HNAQCJhgp2oqMcs_XY6zYux6lGR7RqVX2SzNM2DSOksXRoCD0nw_wcB

Or indeed on amazon.

They are much better than the floppy British ones. They are small, harder and conical so they do not wibble and wobble about as you try and manoeuvre them past the bunches of grapes (piles!) Enjoy!

I have to play devil's advocate on this subject, I had always done the tests and they always came back clear, had a negative test just months before being diagnosed with bowel cancer. Do not rely on tests alone, know what is normal for your body and if you are concerned do something about it. I had to go private to get my diagnosis.
I think in some cases the tests make people blasé and they don't heed the warning signs.

Thankyou Luckygirl. I bought an applicator but it was too small for the 'bullets'.
I don't really have a problem most of the time, as I eat lots of veg and fruit, but the occasional meat dish can stop things happening for a while. I am just surprised that the suppositories were the only (affordable) answer to the prolapse and inability to carry out bowel cancer test. Not that I'm keen for intrusive testing or surgery, but I should at least have been offered the option.

I have to say I agree with harrigran. I always do the test, the last one was just under a year ago. All clear.I think it gives a snapshot of what is happening at the time you take the test. However any unusual or worrying symptoms shouldn't be ignored.

A couple of months ago I had a big change in bowel routine and was unwell while on holiday. I didn't feel right if you see what I mean. I wanted to put it down to change in diet etc but I knew it wasn't that.

Long story cut short. Went to the GP, she referred me for a colonoscopy and I am now waiting for the results of the biopsys that were taken. Fingers crossed.

Hope all well cathy04. I agree you can't rely on test I had no symptoms prior to positive polyp but don't rely on tests I found my own breast lumps 8months after mammogram was clear. Sara that must have been an horrible experience with prep I just took tablets . Good to hear you got all clear for breast cancer. I am two years on and making the most of things and looking forward to seeing my family grow .

Simple blood tests from the age of 60 is just not good enough. The NHS know that. Other countries have given them up.
WE get a colonoscopy every 10 years from age 55 and earlier if it runs in the family. They really do pick up cancers, even tiny ones and small ones or precancers its the only way.

Hope everything is OK Cathy04

Fingers crossed for you cathy

Good news.

I received the all clear by letter this morning. The biopsies didn't show any abnormalities.

He recommended that the G.P refer me for a 'Gastroenterology opinion'. Not sure what that means but will see what Dr says.

Just a word of warning, my tumour wasn't discovered until I had an endoscopy after I'd already had a negative screening test.

"I now learn that there is a gentler method that screens the lower part of the bowel involving a good old fashioned enema"

It's not an alternative, it's just a lesser test that leaves more of the bowel unexamined. I had an enema first time, but it just meant I had to go back for another endoscopy after taking the laxative.

Pleased you got a good result cathy.
There is no point in screening only the lower bowel, problems can arise in any part of it. Enemas are used to cleanse the area so that they get a better view of the bowel lining, I have never heard of it as a diagnostic procedure.

I dont know anything much about any of this. But now knowing several people with bowel cancer, two of them younger than 60 who are sadly not faring well, I would urge people to have the screening.

You do sound bitter Sarah
I got the distinct impression that their funding relied on getting quotas of victims for this so-called service. Like many things in life, you have to trust the people you deal with , but not be afraid to ask questions. Loss of trust is a very corrosive element in our society.
I came across a number of people who had narrowly escaped having their bowel perferated by the camera they poke up your rear end.
Could I ask how you know this? Bowels are either perforated, or they are not.
Spreading fear about things that didn't happen isn't helpful to anyone, is it?

Harrigran, thinking of you, I hope things are going as well as can be expected.

I am glad I had not read been influenced by your comment about perforated bowels Sarah before one of the annual colonoscopies/flexible sigmoidoscopies DH has at the Royal Free Hospital, London. While he would not choose it as his favourite day out, in all the years (over 15) there has never, ever been any physical damage and the polyps removed and biopsied could at any time have been more serious than low-grade / precancerous, so each and every scope has been a potential lifesaver.
It is easy to spread horror stories and equally easy to abrogate any responsibility for even ONE person not proceeding with a test which is designed to deal with a cancer which in most cases can be banged on the head PROVIDED IT IS CAUGHT IN GOOD TIME. .

I have done several home screenings and they have all come back negative. I ended up having a colonoscopy last week as a result of going to the docs with lower back pain and concerns that it might have been caused by a prolapsed bowel. In fact, it was not, but after asking a lot of questions, she sent me to the hospital anyway on a two week referral, which I have posted about elsewhere on the forum. Given the number of these procedures they carry out every week, and the number of lives they save, the benefits must outweigh the risks. The chances of a perforation if no polyps are removed is less than one in a thousand. About half that if polyps are removed. A colonoscopy can pick up smaller anomalies than the barium enema procedure, which is cumbersome and lengthy. I have had both. Camera technology is amazing. My niece recently had two chest x-Ray's for a lung complaint. Both came back clear. She was not convinced that there was not a problem and insisted on a bronchoscopy, which picked up a tiny malignant tumour. Because it was small, it had not spread, and the surgeon managed to get all of it with surrounding tissue and she can go back to living her life again. He said that it was so small it would never have been picked up by any other means. I was told that my results were clear, with no biopsies taken. I know that others have not been that lucky and I genuinely feel for them. I think that women are much better at taking responsibility for their health than men. I have to hold a gun to DH's head to get him to see the doctor if I suspect that he has a problem.

They send you a diet sheet Sarah because you are only able to eat a very limited range of foods beforehand. DH has had it done twice and found the laxatives no more than inconvenient and the procedure quite easy. If only the NHS was so over funded and over staffed that they could call people in unnecessarily!