Bowel Cancer Screening
Discussion
I have just had notification that my test kit will be arriving in the next few days.
It is heartening that the screening is still being carried out , my first thought was the labs may have been diverted to covid screening , but then I guess the equipment required is totally different .
And then you hear and read cancer screening and diagnosis is falling behind due to the virus . So great that this is still being done
At least 2 people of my acquaintance have been diagnosed with bowel cancer , thankfully both have been treated and are in remission .
For that reason , even though the process of getting samples is not the nicest thing to have to do , I never fail to get the samples and return for analysis.
It is heartening that the screening is still being carried out , my first thought was the labs may have been diverted to covid screening , but then I guess the equipment required is totally different .
And then you hear and read cancer screening and diagnosis is falling behind due to the virus . So great that this is still being done
At least 2 people of my acquaintance have been diagnosed with bowel cancer , thankfully both have been treated and are in remission .
For that reason , even though the process of getting samples is not the nicest thing to have to do , I never fail to get the samples and return for analysis.
I was always at high risk of cancer due to IBD and had regular routine blood/stool samples and colonoscopies. Jan 2019 turned up an irregularity leading to colon removal Sept 2019. My gastro consultant said they very rarely find something, but my case proved the importance of early diagnosis.
I’m living with the worst case scenario of regular testing, but would rather a bag than a box!
I’m living with the worst case scenario of regular testing, but would rather a bag than a box!
For one reason and another, my mum's tumour grew to the point it made a complete blockage before discovery. Thankfully on that day a locum was in the surgery instead of her usual GP. He lay her down and wobbled her from side to side, felt the mass move and sent her to hospital, where she stayed for two months.
Don't f
k about. Days and weeks of delay at this end of things translates to months and years lost at the other end.
Don't f
k about. Days and weeks of delay at this end of things translates to months and years lost at the other end.
I had stage 3 colon cancer when I was 38 - discovered only because I was a blood donor and was found to be slightly anaemic - didn’t have a clue. Some family history but all 60+.
I had no pain, no visible blood, no change in bowel habits (it was on the right side in my caecum).
That was eighteen years ago, I’ve had a colonoscopy every two years since then - most recent one being today! [ETA: only delayed by a couple of weeks despite Covid, they’re working seven days to catch up and compensate for reduced capacity]
Any opportunity to catch it early should be taken - colon cancer is often curable.
I had no pain, no visible blood, no change in bowel habits (it was on the right side in my caecum).
That was eighteen years ago, I’ve had a colonoscopy every two years since then - most recent one being today! [ETA: only delayed by a couple of weeks despite Covid, they’re working seven days to catch up and compensate for reduced capacity]
Any opportunity to catch it early should be taken - colon cancer is often curable.
Edited by HalfManHalfJaffaCake on Sunday 7th February 16:58
motco said:
Frankly, a colonoscopy is nothing to be alarmed about if it comes to it. The consequences of refusal can be far more unpleasant.
I had one done today. It was nowhere as bad as I thought it would be. I was expecting it to be highly embarrassing and very uncomfortable. It wasn't. They gave me a gown so only my backside was on show. There is also a blanket covering most of that and my legs.
I did opt for sedation, but it didn't really hit me. There was a warning it'd probably make people drowsy and forget everything that happened, but that didn't happen for me.
It got slightly uncomfortable a couple of times as the tube went up whilst air and water was pumped in. Nothing bad though and lasted a few seconds.
I felt fine as soon as it was finished and went home soon afterwards.
Don't put it off if there is any worries. It's not a big deal..
Just found this thread.
My dad is currently in the clear after battling bowel and liver cancer. Still has the bag, but otherwise all good, which is a minor miracle considering stage 4 and age etc.
Anyways, reading this thread has resulted in me ordering a test from the letsgetchecked website.
Currently 30% off black Friday offer, working out at 55 quid all in for a bowel screening test.
My dad is currently in the clear after battling bowel and liver cancer. Still has the bag, but otherwise all good, which is a minor miracle considering stage 4 and age etc.
Anyways, reading this thread has resulted in me ordering a test from the letsgetchecked website.
Currently 30% off black Friday offer, working out at 55 quid all in for a bowel screening test.
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