Bowel cancer screening

What is bowel cancer screening?

Bowel Cancer Screening is available to everyone who lives in England and are over the age of 60. The Bowel Cancer Screening service asks patients to send in a sample of stool (poo), so the screening service can check for any traces of blood.

If the test comes back positive, this does not mean you definitely have Bowel Cancer, as bleeding may come from other places like piles (Haemorrhoids). However you will likely be offered further tests, such as a colonoscopy, to investigate the cause. Around 2 in 100 people are invited for further tests.

If it is negative for blood you will be advised to repeat in 2 years, but if you notice symptoms of possible bowel cancer in the mean time you should speak with one of our GPs, even if your recent test result was normal. The screening test should not be done if you think you have symptoms.

Below is a link to a video explaining the importance of bowel cancer screening: https://youtu.be/4y9r9nSnB3I

Below is a link to a video explaining how to collect the sample: www.youtube.com/watch?v=il6VSceMWfM

People aged 60 to 74, who live in England and are registered with a GP, are automatically sent a kit to their homes every 2 years. The sample can be collected in the privacy of your home, and then posted back to the screening team using the envelope provided. The screening team is not based at the Goodinge, but if you have questions you can contact us, or call the helpline below.

People aged over 75 can call the Free Bowel Cancer Screening Helpline on 0800 707 60 600 for a test kit if they would like to do one. This can be done every 2 years. The helpline can also provide you with more information if you want to speak with someone.

If you would like to read some real life stories about people who have used the bowel screening service.

Website
Stories – Transformation Partners in Health and Care