Bowel cancer screening
Every 15 minutes, someone in England and Wales is diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK affecting both men and women. But, it’s highly treatable when detected in the early stages which is why it’s so important that people are diagnosed as soon as possible.
Should I have this test?
If you are over 50 or have any of the following symptoms, then you may wish to consider a bowel cancer screen:
- A change in your normal bowel habit lasting four weeks or more
- Rectal bleeding
- Extreme tiredness without obvious cause
- A pain and/or lump in your abdomen.
These symptoms, whilst worrying, are common in both men and women at all times of life and usually turn out not to be caused by bowel cancer. The vast majority of patients will have more irritating, ‘minor’ conditions instead which can be easily treated in our one-stop clinic.
What does the screen involve?
We will arrange a simple faecal blood test which you can complete yourself at home. Your sample will be sent to the laboratory for processing and works by detecting tiny amounts of blood in bowel motions which may not always be visibly obvious.
The test itself does not diagnose bowel cancer, but the results will indicate whether further investigation by a consultant is needed. Should further investigations be needed, full examination of the large bowel (colonoscopy), abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, blood tests, and scans are all available as part of our one-stop Colorectal Clinic.
Referrals
You may self-refer for a bowel cancer screen or ask your GP for a referral.
Appointments and enquiries
Please see Colorectal Clinic for more information including clinic times, consultants and appointments.
