Bowel cancer screening
The NHS offers a test to screen for bowel cancer:
This test is automatically available to people aged 60-74 who live in England and are registered with a GP. Every two years you receive a kit so that you can collect a small stool sample which you then post off. The test looks for small traces of blood. If the test finds anything unusual, you'll be offered an appointment to talk about an inspection of the bowel called a colonoscopy. If you are over 74 you can request a kit on freephone 0800 707 6060.
Symptoms of bowel cancer: what to look for
If you experience the following symptoms or changes, please seek advice from your family doctor:
- Persistent blood in the stools [motions] without other symptoms of piles.
- Persistent change in your bowel habit.
- Persistent low abdominal pain, bloating or discomfort, always brought on by eating.
- Unintentional weight loss.
For further information about these symptoms and bowel cancer screening please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/