It is not possible to access the national bowel screening service for a test if you have not previously received a test. If you have concerns about your symptoms, please see your GP.
Tests are available in most pharmacies now for approximately £10, which allows you to test your poo for blood. Please remember however there are other symptoms of bowel cancer so please be aware of false reassurance. Our advice would be to speak with your GP.
Yes, you can call the National Bowel Screening team on 0800 707060 and request a test.
Some early bowel cancers can be removed at colonoscopy without the need for surgery. Others need a surgical operation to remove the section of bowel containing the cancer. Most of these procedures do not require a stoma bag (bag on the tummy). In many cases chemotherapy and radiotherapy are not required. After treatment, patients are usually followed up with CT scans and colonoscopies for five years.
Please contact one of our team who will talk to you and find what would work best for you. This would either be talking to a member of the Bowel Cancer West team, speaking to a friend of Bowel Cancer West who has been through bowel cancer, or inviting you to the Bowel Cancer West Buddy Group.
Approximately 18-35% of people will have either a permanent or temporary stoma to help them be treated for bowel cancer. Your surgeon will be able to tell you if this is a possibility for you.
Stage 1: The cancer is localised to the inside of the bowel (colon or rectum) with no involvement of the lymph nodes or any secondaries (metastases) elsewhere in the body.
Stage 2: The cancer has grown into, but not through, the wall of the bowel with no involvement of the lymph nodes or any secondaries (metastases) elsewhere in the body.
Stage 3. The cancer had spread to the local lymph nodes without any secondaries (metastases) elsewhere in the body.
Stage 4. The cancer has spread to other parts of the body. In the case of bowel cancer, this is often to the liver and sometimes to the lungs or other areas. There is still the possibility of effective treatment in these cases with surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Your starting point is to speak to your GP. They will likely ask if your father or anyone else had genes tested, whether other family members have had bowel cancer or other cancers, discuss referral for genetics counselling and check if you’ve seen any new symptoms.