Bowel Test

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Sarah Buchan
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Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:32 am
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by Sarah Buchan on Thu Feb 26, 2015 5:30 pm

Re: Bowel Test

Hi Wendy,

Many thanks for posting such a topical question.

Currently the NHS bowel screening programme invites patients aged 60-74 who are registered with a GP in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for a screening test every two years. In Scotland, this programme invites patients aged 50 - 74 years for screening. It is essential patients keep their details up to date with the GP practice to ensure they don't miss this invitation.
The screening test comprises of a home foecal occult blood test kit. It arrives in the post when the screening is due and collects tiny stool samples on a special card. This card is then sealed in a hygenic freepost envelope and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The results are received by the patient in writing within 2 weeks and may be presented as any one of the folllowing;
- normal: no blood was found in sample. Invite for screening again in two years.
-unclear: possible traces of blood found caused by factors other than cancer such as haemorroids or stomach ulcer
-abnormal: blood found in stool sample and patient offered follow up appointment for a colonoscopy to investigate further.

As well as the regular screening test above, a new test is being rolled out by 2016. This involves inviting patients aged 55 to have a one-off flexible sigmoidoscopy test to examine the lower bowel with a camera. Wendy, this sounds like the procedure you have undergone. The flexible sigmoidoscopy is similiar to a colonoscopy but cannot see as far into the bowel. It is used to detect polyps in the bowel and can be followed by a full colonoscopy if necessary to investigate further.

While both of these screening tests have been shown to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer, the flexible sigmoidoscopy has not been fully rolled out yet (and won't be until 2016) and so will not have been discussed on the programme you watched.

I hope this has answered your questions. If you wish to find out more about the NHS bowel screening programmes, please feel free to visit the NHS choices UK website which has information available and also signpost to charity websites at http://www.nhs.uk

Kindest regards,
Sarah
Sarah Buchan
Clinical Pharmacist, Rowlands Pharmacy
http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... buchan.php

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