Bowel cancer screening
Discussion
PositronicRay said:
As I've just passed my 60th, I've been sent one of these delightful packs. I will read and action it, but can't quite bring myself to do it today, the thought is revolting. I bet many don't bother, wondering what the uptake is? 10-20% I shouldn't wonder.
Had to do this twice now, bloody horrible job but just needs to be done. My advice would be to use tinfoil to catch the offending item when passed (it could fall through paper dependant on size and err... weight.), transfer to bath on the metal sheet, cut off what is needed and then flush away. Job jobbed (or jobbied.) The good news was that on both occasions I had nothing to worry about. Which was nice.
Hopefully you won't have anything to worry about either.
Revolting it may be but having lost both my Dad (74) and my sister in law's partner who was also a good friend to it I would have no hesitation is submitting my sample.
Unfortunately it wouldn't have saved my sister in law's partner as he was only just into his forties when diagnosed.
Unfortunately it wouldn't have saved my sister in law's partner as he was only just into his forties when diagnosed.
The Hypno-Toad said:
PositronicRay said:
As I've just passed my 60th, I've been sent one of these delightful packs. I will read and action it, but can't quite bring myself to do it today, the thought is revolting. I bet many don't bother, wondering what the uptake is? 10-20% I shouldn't wonder.
Had to do this twice now, bloody horrible job but just needs to be done. My advice would be to use tinfoil to catch the offending item when passed (it could fall through paper dependant on size and err... weight.), transfer to bath on the metal sheet, cut off what is needed and then flush away. Job jobbed (or jobbied.) The good news was that on both occasions I had nothing to worry about. Which was nice.
Hopefully you won't have anything to worry about either.
PositronicRay said:
The Hypno-Toad said:
PositronicRay said:
As I've just passed my 60th, I've been sent one of these delightful packs. I will read and action it, but can't quite bring myself to do it today, the thought is revolting. I bet many don't bother, wondering what the uptake is? 10-20% I shouldn't wonder.
Had to do this twice now, bloody horrible job but just needs to be done. My advice would be to use tinfoil to catch the offending item when passed (it could fall through paper dependant on size and err... weight.), transfer to bath on the metal sheet, cut off what is needed and then flush away. Job jobbed (or jobbied.) The good news was that on both occasions I had nothing to worry about. Which was nice.
Hopefully you won't have anything to worry about either.
Let us all know when you get the all clear.
bomb said:
I had camera screening a while ago. Wasn't too bad at all, and the doctor and nurses were very helpful too.
I've had that great big tube stuck up and waggled about. They had a TV screen and allowed me to peruse the inside of my intestines. Very educational. The doctor had a sense of humour, but then you'd need to I suppose. He showed me my appendix scar, found a 'polyp' so I have to return regularly, but all is fine. Despite the ignominy, the discomfort, and the risk of embarrassing myself, I prefer it to the having to complete the screening card.
One small point; the tube is identical to the one they stick down your throat. I wondered if it would double up. Not a pleasant thought, at least to those who have their throat examined.
I had a much-loved aunt die of bowel cancer. She suffered quite a lot, despite the medication. Death probably came as a relief to the poor old girl.
PositronicRay said:
As I've just passed my 60th, I've been sent one of these delightful packs. I will read and action it, but can't quite bring myself to do it today, the thought is revolting. I bet many don't bother, wondering what the uptake is? 10-20% I shouldn't wonder.
On the Plus side.............for the 1st time ever I didn't have pay for my eye test last week nor prescriptions anymore 
It's the poo-sticks test! If you buy the little clear plastic pots with hummous/taramasalata etc. in then keep them when they are empty and use an one of these, catch the output, swipe off a bit and smear, tip the bulk down the bog and lid the container for the dustman. I've done it a few times, had a colonoscopy for an unclear result, been declared ok but for a polyp (removed and tested as harmless) and some small haemorrhoids just inside the doors as it were. Nice warm feeling when you're given a good report.
PositronicRay said:
As I've just passed my 60th, I've been sent one of these delightful packs. I will read and action it, but can't quite bring myself to do it today, the thought is revolting. I bet many don't bother, wondering what the uptake is? 10-20% I shouldn't wonder.
It's only s
t.Wrap a piece of toilet paper around one hand, have the little spatula ready in the other and catch small turd. Paste sample onto card provided, ditch turd and carry on. Honestly, never a problem.
But beware.
Tested at 60 and 62 - clear.
Pack was late coming at 64 (2016) and I developed symptoms. Normal bowel movements but some moderate pain and much more wind which didn't smell right (you know what I mean). Blood test, low white cell count and referral. Bowel cancer diagnosed and half bowel removed via keyhole surgery.
Whilst waiting to be referred, the pack arrived and I sent the specimens for testing.
And the result came back clear.
Apparently this test can only detect minute traces of blood (suggesting cancer) in half of the bowel. It is by no means foolproof.
Under surveillance now until end of 2021. If clear three years after surgery there's a good chance it won't return.
Cannot praise the NHS staff enough. The colorectal nurses have been beyond wonderful.
Colonoscopies aren't too bad. Had three now and a very jolly doctor doing the second one. He saw a few grimaces (didn't want anaesthetic because you cannot drive for 24 hours).
His response, "Relax, enjoy it!"
Yeah, right Doc!
I have just had the results of my 3rd or 4th samples and was clear , no it not pleasant to have to dig out a sample , but when you get the all clear , it makes it worth while , my sister in law was diagnosed in the early stages on her first test , had treatment and was cleared , and now after a number of annual reviews , is still clear .
So dig away and be thankful if it is caught early whilst still treatable
So dig away and be thankful if it is caught early whilst still treatable
Derek Smith said:
bomb said:
I had camera screening a while ago. Wasn't too bad at all, and the doctor and nurses were very helpful too.
One small point; the tube is identical to the one they stick down your throat. I wondered if it would double up. Not a pleasant thought, at least to those who have their throat examined.As an aside each scope costs £15-30k! So don’t tighten up too hard down there
Derek Smith said:
bomb said:
I had camera screening a while ago. Wasn't too bad at all, and the doctor and nurses were very helpful too.
One small point; the tube is identical to the one they stick down your throat. I wondered if it would double up. Not a pleasant thought, at least to those who have their throat examined.newlad said:
It's only st.
Wrap a piece of toilet paper around one hand, have the little spatula ready in the other and catch small turd. Paste sample onto card provided, ditch turd and carry on. Honestly, never a problem.
But beware.
Tested at 60 and 62 - clear.
Pack was late coming at 64 (2016) and I developed symptoms. Normal bowel movements but some moderate pain and much more wind which didn't smell right (you know what I mean). Blood test, low white cell count and referral. Bowel cancer diagnosed and half bowel removed via keyhole surgery.
Whilst waiting to be referred, the pack arrived and I sent the specimens for testing.
Anything that might give an early warning is well worth doing.
And the result came back clear.
Apparently this test can only detect minute traces of blood (suggesting cancer) in half of the bowel. It is by no means foolproof.
Under surveillance now until end of 2021. If clear three years after surgery there's a good chance it won't return.
Cannot praise the NHS staff enough. The colorectal nurses have been beyond wonderful.
Colonoscopies aren't too bad. Had three now and a very jolly doctor doing the second one. He saw a few grimaces (didn't want anaesthetic because you cannot drive for 24 hours).
His response, "Relax, enjoy it!"
Yeah, right Doc!
Never had the 'samples' thing. My BiL lives 15 miles down the road from me, is a year younger (56) but has been summoned for a routine/precautionary Colonoscopy. I haven't had that either, howevert.Wrap a piece of toilet paper around one hand, have the little spatula ready in the other and catch small turd. Paste sample onto card provided, ditch turd and carry on. Honestly, never a problem.
But beware.
Tested at 60 and 62 - clear.
Pack was late coming at 64 (2016) and I developed symptoms. Normal bowel movements but some moderate pain and much more wind which didn't smell right (you know what I mean). Blood test, low white cell count and referral. Bowel cancer diagnosed and half bowel removed via keyhole surgery.
Whilst waiting to be referred, the pack arrived and I sent the specimens for testing.
Anything that might give an early warning is well worth doing.
And the result came back clear.
Apparently this test can only detect minute traces of blood (suggesting cancer) in half of the bowel. It is by no means foolproof.
Under surveillance now until end of 2021. If clear three years after surgery there's a good chance it won't return.
Cannot praise the NHS staff enough. The colorectal nurses have been beyond wonderful.
Colonoscopies aren't too bad. Had three now and a very jolly doctor doing the second one. He saw a few grimaces (didn't want anaesthetic because you cannot drive for 24 hours).
His response, "Relax, enjoy it!"
Yeah, right Doc!
Hurt my knee last year and was due to go in for a minor Op. Failed the pre-op test with odd blood test results.
There followed a host of investigations in quick succession.
Culminating in a Colonoscopy which showed an 'angry looking mass' at the end of my colon.
Confirmed as cancer a week later and operated on the following week, they are pretty sure they removed everything but due to indicators in Lymph Glands and Veins, now undergoing Chemo even though they caught it early.
Apparently where the lump was would not have shown any symptoms until it had spread to other organs.
I was very lucky I had a dodgy knee.
Oncologist is brilliant and has picked up abnormalities in PSA test (which GP commissioned but has ignored until they wrote to her), off to see another specialist next week.
Anything that could give an early warning is well worth doing.
PositronicRay said:
The Hypno-Toad said:
PositronicRay said:
As I've just passed my 60th, I've been sent one of these delightful packs. I will read and action it, but can't quite bring myself to do it today, the thought is revolting. I bet many don't bother, wondering what the uptake is? 10-20% I shouldn't wonder.
Had to do this twice now, bloody horrible job but just needs to be done. My advice would be to use tinfoil to catch the offending item when passed (it could fall through paper dependant on size and err... weight.), transfer to bath on the metal sheet, cut off what is needed and then flush away. Job jobbed (or jobbied.) The good news was that on both occasions I had nothing to worry about. Which was nice.
Hopefully you won't have anything to worry about either.
I won't bore you with how messy the disease is if you don't catch it in time but it's *much* worse than pooing in a foil container and involves a bag.Never had the 'samples' thing. My BiL lives 15 miles down the road from me, is a year younger (56) but has been summoned for a routine/precautionary Colonoscopy. I haven't had that either, however
That would be right.
The screening starts at 60. And it's available for a reason.
My wife and I followed all the advice for 30+ married years.
Never smoked, exercised, not over weight, moderate alcohol consumption, good diet with little meat etc.
Within the space of four months, at 64 and 61, both got cancer. Myself as detailed above.
My beautiful, warm, witty, just all round lovely wife thought she had a chest infection.
It didn't clear. Admitted to hospital. Diagnosed on the same day with a massive lung tumour.
She died two weeks later. It still doesn't seem possible.
Use the screening tests and don't be fobbed off.
That would be right.
The screening starts at 60. And it's available for a reason.
My wife and I followed all the advice for 30+ married years.
Never smoked, exercised, not over weight, moderate alcohol consumption, good diet with little meat etc.
Within the space of four months, at 64 and 61, both got cancer. Myself as detailed above.
My beautiful, warm, witty, just all round lovely wife thought she had a chest infection.
It didn't clear. Admitted to hospital. Diagnosed on the same day with a massive lung tumour.
She died two weeks later. It still doesn't seem possible.
Use the screening tests and don't be fobbed off.
PositronicRay said:
As I've just passed my 60th, I've been sent one of these delightful packs. I will read and action it, but can't quite bring myself to do it today, the thought is revolting. I bet many don't bother, wondering what the uptake is? 10-20% I shouldn't wonder.
Percentage of persons aged 60-69 screened in the last 2½ years is 57.3 for England.PHE
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff