Bowel cancer specialists at West Herts Teaching Hospital NHS Trust are reminding the public to complete their bowel cancer screening test, as part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month this April.
Specialists are highlighting the life-saving benefits of the Bowel Cancer Screening Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT test), and how it can spot bowel cancer at an early stage, when it’s most likely to be treatable.
Detecting one of the most common cancers early
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, and about 9 in 10 people survive bowel cancer when it’s diagnosed at the earliest stage.
The home bowel cancer screening test is currently offered every two years to people between 50 to 74 years old. It is for people who do not have symptoms and involves completing and sending in a simple FIT stool test.
The screening kit checks for tiny traces of blood in poo, which can be an early sign of bowel cancer, or pre-cancerous growths.
Bowel cancers detected by the test are often found at an earlier stage than when found in patients who have symptoms.
Screening also helps identify pre-cancerous growths (polyps) which can become cancers in the future. Identifying and removing polyps will reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer in the future.
Dr Bruce Macfarlane, Bowel Cancer Screening Clinical Lead at West Herts, encourages everyone who is sent a FIT test to complete and submit their test as soon as they can.
Dr Macfarlane says: “Many people avoid completing their screening test because they have no symptoms or because they are anxious about the idea of a colonoscopy. However, please be reassured that most people will have a negative FIT result.
“If a positive result is found, a colonoscopy will be performed, which is much easier for the majority of people than they think. If benign polyps are found, these are safe and easy to remove, and their removal prevents cancer developing.
“For the small percentage who have cancer, there is a better chance of it being at an earlier stage and so a greater chance of being cured. I would strongly recommend not putting off doing your FIT test. This simple test could make a big difference.”
West Herts ‘outstanding’ bowel cancer team leading the way
The Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) at West Herts launched 2008.
The experienced team of doctors, nurse endoscopists, nurse specialists and administrators integrate well together, and have been in step with National developments, rolling out new bowel cancer screening initiatives on time, as well as helping to expand the Endoscopy Unit at Watford General Hospital.
All of the Bowel Cancer Screening Unit's colonoscopists are highly trained, skilled and undergo extensive accreditation. They are all qualified participants in the English Bowel Cancer Screening programme 'Optical Diagnosis' policy, the first in the world.
The department was recently described as “a high performing bowel screening service with outstanding leadership” by the Regional Quality Assurance team that checks and monitors how well every part of the service is working.
How to find out more information
Everyone registered with a GP in England between the ages of 50 to 74. If the screening kit comes back showing trace amounts of blood in the poo, you will be invited to see the specialist nurse in clinic to prepare you for a screening colonoscopy. For further information please click here.
Anyone who notices symptoms such as a change in their bowel habits, or rectal bleeding should contact their GP and not wait for a screening kit. The GP can arrange a FIT test, and if the result is positive, the patient will be fast‑tracked for a colonoscopy within two weeks.
Call the screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60 or visit the NHS website for more information about bowel cancer screening.