Bowel cancer test

Did this test about a year ago no problem.Results came back a couple of weeks later all ok.

peter.

Windy,first of all let me wish your OH and her Sis all the good luck in the world and they are cured of this horrible disease,I lost my eldest Sis to it last year.Secondly it is great to have you back on the forum.......too quiet without you.  

Having reached 'a certain age' I have been sent a bowel cancer testing kit by the NHS. Apparantly this is standard practice.

Not wishing to be too graphic, it is necessary to provide two small poo samples (using a small scraper to put the samples onto a card each day) from each of three separate days. The sample cannot be allowed to go in the toilet water, so the 'sampling material' has to be caught mid drop.

I'm not looking forward to this at all.......

 

Nothing to it Ian, I am glad I did it as the result neccessitated me going for a Colonoscopy where two polyps were four found and snared, they were cancerous but at the "good" end of the polyp. I have been every two years for a Colonoscopy and touch wood everything has been clear

Admiral

Ian ,Its very simple and although not perfect is a help

Its all very straight forward. Empty and clean 900ml ice cream container (or similar) lined with tissue placed in the toilet bowl with do the trick. Enjoy!!!

David

Write your comments here...I am grateful that I can take part, I feel it is worth while.

Similar to David, I find that collection of the required sample is easy using one of the plastic tubs similar to the ones you get with a takeaway meal, Carefully washed first and lined with paper, simple. 

Despite  my  light-hearted  response  to  David  Klyne  last  night,  it  is  a  serious  move  by  N H S to help  us  Oldies !  They  send  out  the  paperwork  on  an  age  basis  but  have  no  knowledge  of  you  and  your  general  health  just  your  age.  I  got  my  first  one  on  my  return  from  Manchester  Royal  Infirmary,  rang  the  given  number  and  having  told  them  my  circumstances ,  was  still  given  the  chance  to  take  up  the  offer.  They  sent  me  a  form  again  this  year  so  you  can  be  sure  you  will  get  a  request  to  "Join  the  Club"  again  in  a  few  years  time  !

GO  FOR  IT  --  as  Lord  BW  says  --=  It  may  just  save  your  life. 

Brian

I don't envy the people who receive and process the samples.

I don't envy the people who receive and process the samples.

Write your comments here...Yes " what a crap job" but thanks all that do it!.  

I don't like having to provide those samples, either and the two yearly interval seems to fly by these days. That said, the importance of these tests was brought home to me last year when our neighbour sent his samples in and within something like two weeks was being operated on for bowel cancer.  He's had the chemo and, fingers crosssed seems to be fine.  As said above, if caught early, the chances of a full recovery from this form of cancer are now very high. The screening process is saving lives and that little bit of 'unpleasantness' every couple of years is more than worth it.

Cling film loosely placed over the toilet bowl, but not in the water, works for me. Contents tipped into the bowl afterwards and the cling film rolled up and easily disposed of.