Table of Contents
Who is most at risk?
Common risks linked to bowel cancer include
- Getting older
- Type 2 diabetes
- Family history of bowel cancer
- Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
There are five key symptoms of bowel cancer
- Bleeding from your bottom or blood in your poo
- A pain or lump in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness for no reason
- Weight loss for no reason
- Changes in how you poo, such as softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation. You may also feel like you need a poo more or less often
Speak with your GP if you have any of these symptoms for 3 weeks or more. It isn’t always cancer but it is best to check, even if you’ve had a recent colonoscopy.
It is possible to get tested for bowel cancer, for example bowel screening.
How does screening work?
Using the screening kit
The screening kit is called a ‘FIT kit’. You use it at home.
The kit contains a small plastic bottle to collect a tiny sample of poo. It is very easy to use and comes with instructions.
Once you have your sample, post it back in prepaid packaging.
I'm not sure this kit will work for me
If you’re not sure whether you should use the kit, please call our free helpline for advice on 08007076060.
What does screening do?
The test looks for tiny amounts of blood in your poo. You wouldn’t be able to see them just by looking.
Why get bowel screening?
It’s easiest to treat bowel cancer before symptoms start. We call this the early stages. Screening helps do this.
Regular screening reduces the risk of dying from bowel cancer. Statistics shows this is by at least 25%.
Screening can also find unwanted lumps in the bowels. We call these polyps. Polyps are not cancer but can grow into cancers if not removed.
We are expanding our service so that everyone over 50 will have access to free bowel screening. Call our helpline on 08007076060 to ask about your eligibility
What's next?
How will I get my resuts?
You should get a letter within 4 -14 days of sending in your sample. There are two possible results
- No more tests needed at this time
- More tests are needed
No more tests needed at this time
98 out of 100 people have this result. This means that we didn’t see anything irregular.
You should have another check in two years.
You should also beware aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer. Sometimes bowel cancer does not show on the screening.
More tests needed
Around 2 in 10 people have this. We will offer you an appointment to discuss a colonoscopy.
We are not saying you have cancer. We just need to have a closer look.
This leaflet may be useful to you – bowel cancer screening: having a colonoscopy (easy guide)
Where can I get more information?
For more information about bowel cancer screening, call 08007076060. If you have hearing or speech difficulties, you can use the Relay UK service to contact us. Using your mobile phone, dial 1800108007076060.
Alternatively, you can also view the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening leaflet.
Humber and Yorkshire Coast Bowel Cancer Screening Centre
The Humber and Yorkshire Coast Bowel Cancer Screening Centre consists of specialist teams who can help with your bowel screening process. They have an office over at Castle Hill Hospital and Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, and cover a wide range of areas.