Bowel screening

Well done those people who ask for continued testing after the NHS cut-off. I wish I had done, but I used to be arrogant about my health.

It’s 3 for breast in our area, 2 for bowel.

As you say, different areas, different rules.

Calendargirl my last test was December 2023. My next is early January. Just two years. Maybe it depends on your local hospital.

I think breast screening is every three years, not two.

But both breast and bowel screening can be done after the age limit, you just have to arrange it yourself.

i found out i had bowel cancer by accident, my doctor thought it was ibs, a blood test came back that my iron level was so low that he said i must be bleeding inside, scans and colonoscopy showed a large tumour, i was so scared to go for the operation but the doctor said i would have about 6 months to live without it. my brother got the test kit in the post, usually he ignores it but this time he sent it in, he has diverticulitis. i have been left with half my bowel. i would urge anyone to do the postal poo test or get bowel screening if offered, the letters are not a waste of time if they save someones life.

Romola

As far as I remember, after 75 you don't receive the "crap test" any more. Perhaps you can ask for testing to go onafter that, I don't know.
Anyway at age 79 I had to have an emergency hemicolectomy because of a tumour in the colon. I have made a good recovery and a subsequent colonoscopy, CT scan and blood tests so far show no recurrence. I gather that the success rate is pretty good for that operation.
I suppose my point is that tests should continue after 75 as routine. Judging by the amount of pain I was in, bowel cancer would be a horrible way to die.

Romola, I am 78 and I phone up the breast screening clinic and the bowel people every 2 years. It's ridiculous that we are no longer called to have these tests as we age but they never refuse me. We have to take these matters into our own hands. I'm very frightened and I have a wonderful imagination and always assume it will be bad news. You have been very brave.

As far as I remember, after 75 you don't receive the "crap test" any more. Perhaps you can ask for testing to go onafter that, I don't know.
Anyway at age 79 I had to have an emergency hemicolectomy because of a tumour in the colon. I have made a good recovery and a subsequent colonoscopy, CT scan and blood tests so far show no recurrence. I gather that the success rate is pretty good for that operation.
I suppose my point is that tests should continue after 75 as routine. Judging by the amount of pain I was in, bowel cancer would be a horrible way to die.

I agree. I missed several bowel screening tests because I get terrified waiting for the results and when a recent blood test showed that I was anaemic I had to do a bowel test anyway. Had I done the previous one I’d been sent I wouldn’t have ended up in a blind panic. I used to have every test going prior to the pandemic but got out of the habit during that time. I’m really annoyed with myself.

Please, please take these tests.
I took one in August and received a call from my doctor to say they found blood. I was told I might have bowel cancer. I was 'fast tracked' within 2 weeks to have a CT Colonoscopy. Two weeks later the Consultant called to say I didn't have bowel cancer but there might be something in my Uterus. Another wait, more tests and yet another wait. It started in August and ended mid October.
Kind, helpful staff couldn't stop my fear. But thankfully all the tests have proved negative. Yes I was positively terrified all day every day but it was thorough and I'm so glad I had the tests. So glad in fact I've booked breast screening for January because I figure if I have anything that serious, I want to know as soon as possible. If the screening service don't call you, you call them.
And remember just because you have all these tests, it doesn't mean they're going to be positive. Stay safe.

I just received a text message via the NHS app to say that the bowel test will arrive in the post soon

I think it needs to be on a patients record that they were offered the test but didn’t do it, in the same way as it has to be on their records if they refuse a pneumonia jab.

I have only received a test when I asked for it, just a packet arriving with no advance letter. When I received the result, fortunately OK, I was told another test would be sent in two years. This happened twice, but I've never received another one.

I know that's a repeat of what others have said but it's true in my area anyway.

Sorry my post isn’t about the letter but the actual test. On holiday this year I spent some time with two young widows both in their early fifties. Their husbands had died of bowel cancer despite all sorts of repeated tests until it was too late. They were both told the screening we post off only looks for blood. Nothing else. If there’s no blood it gets a negative result. These two women met at a bereavement group and were astonished to find they had both watched their husbands constantly fearing they were exaggerating their symptoms because of the negative results. I will think of these conversations when next I do the test. I’ll still do it but won’t necessarily believe the result.

welbeck

I'm guessing that sending the advance information letter means they get more people actually taking up and returning the test
Some people find it terra incognito and need a while to get their head round it.

I was told this directly by the screening team in my area.

It's a sort of "warning" and gives people time to think.
They say they get a better response rate this way and less tests are "wasted".

Robin202

I think randomly sending out the test to everyone including those who dont wish to take a test, is an incredible waste of money. They would be better off making the tests available upon request to those who actually want them.

I think that would add a layer of bureaucracy which would be dearer than sending them out to everyone. And harder for people as they would need to actually reply to the email/letter/whatever. It's so very easy to miss an email amongst the many emails most of us get, so people could well miss out if they want to but are maybe on holiday when the email comes, I skim emails on holiday but every year I find out I've missed a significant one, because I get a reminder.
There is a cost to administering email to ls and reminders, it doesn't magically happen for free
And organisations like the NHS or whoever sends them out, don't use stamps. They use much cheaper ways of posting letters.
If sending the letter improves uptake then i don't mind at all having a letter come through beforehand
I guess if you do want to opr out of receiving tests, once you've had your first one at least you could ask that you are not sent more, but you might change your mind before the next one comes . I've come across people whose cancer is picked up at an early stage because of the test and every time they encourage those who are hesitant to do it, and people do change their mind
I guess if you wouldn't have treatment if you tested positive you might opt out, but even if you planned to opt out.you might like to know you were very likely to have it so you could get your affairs in order, do things you always wanted to do before you died etc

I don't need a letter in advance. Happy to just receive the test kit, that can in lude all necessary information. If I didn't want to partake, having a letter would make no difference, I suppose I would just ignore both.

I think randomly sending out the test to everyone including those who dont wish to take a test, is an incredible waste of money. They would be better off making the tests available upon request to those who actually want them.

exactly the same here, letter Monday kit Thursday. My conltant emailed my GP, I printed the letter off via the app then received TWO letters on the same day with the same letter. I've told them they can send ALL communcations electronicly but I think they are stuck in the 50s when post was cheap and efficiant.

I've just returned a bowel screening test. No advance letter, the kit just arrived unannounced.
Doesnit depend on the area you live in?

We are now getting several text messages prior to hospital appointments. The post here is so unreliable letters often are delivered upto several weeks late. We are only a mile from the local sorting office and can see the hospital from our driveway. The text messages make sure that we definitely know of the appointment so I think your letter prior to tests arriving are reminders rather than time wasters

If it improves uptake that's good.

If sending an advanced letter results in more people taking the test then that warrants the cost. I think if people are alerted to the test being imminent they are more likely to do it. Also, should the test not arrive they know to request one.
This has been discussed on a previous thread.

welbeck

I'm guessing that sending the advance information letter means they get more people actually taking up and returning the test
Some people find it terra incognito and need a while to get their head round it.

You are correct ....I was told this by an nhs public health worker....it improves uptake

I'm guessing that sending the advance information letter means they get more people actually taking up and returning the test
Some people find it terra incognito and need a while to get their head round it.