Bowel cancer screening is a national programme for people aged 50 to 74.
We send you a test to do at home that checks for signs of bowel cancer. Known as a faecal immunochemical test (FIT), it looks for blood in a sample of your poo.
You don’t have to do anything to get a test. If you’re registered with a GP, you’ll automatically get a kit through the post every 2 years.
The North of Tyne Bowel Cancer screening programme is a partnership between host trust Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
If you are 75 or over, you can still take part in bowel cancer screening every 2 years, but you will not be invited. Phone the free national helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
Home test kit
We’ll send you a home test kit, called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT).
You use this kit to collect a small sample of poo and send it to a lab.
The lab checks the sample for tiny amounts of blood. This is because polyps and bowel cancers sometimes bleed.
After this, most people will not need any further tests. We offer people who do need further tests an appointment to discuss colonoscopy.
Find out more by watching this NHS video on how to use the bowel cancer screening FIT kit.
Results
You should get your results within two weeks of sending your sample. The result will either confirm that no further tests are needed at this time, of that further tests are needed.
No further tests needed at this time
Most people (around 97 to 98 in 100) have this result.
It means that we did not find any blood in your sample, or only a tiny amount which is less than the screening level.
We’ll offer you bowel cancer screening again in 2 years if you are under the age of 75.
This result does not guarantee that you do not have bowel cancer. Bowel cancer could still develop in the future. See a GP if you have or get symptoms of bowel cancer.
Further tests needed
Around 2 to 3 in 100 people have this result.
It means we found an amount of blood in your poo at or above the screening level. This is also known as a threshold.
Several things can cause blood in poo. We will offer you an appointment to discuss having a colonoscopy to check the cause of the blood.
Appointment with a specialist screening practitioner (if necessary)
If your results identified blood in your poo, you’ll be invited to an appointment with one of our specialist screening practitioners. This will give you the chance to:
- explain your screening result
- describe what a colonoscopy involves
- talk through the benefits and possible risks
They will also ask about your health and any medicines you take, to make sure the test is suitable for you.
We may offer you a different test instead, such as a CT scan that uses X-rays to look at the bowel.
If a colonoscopy is suitable and you decide to go ahead, it will usually take place at a hospital within two weeks.
Before the test, your bowels need to be empty so the specialist can see clearly.
You will get instructions explaining how to prepare. This will include advice about what to eat and drink in the days before your test.
You will also be given laxatives. Laxatives are medicines that help empty your bowels by making you go to the toilet more often.
You usually take these the day before the procedure.
Following these instructions carefully helps make sure the test works as well as possible.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a test that allows a specialist to look inside your bowel. The test is carried out by a specially trained clinician.
They use a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end. This tube is gently passed into your bottom and moved carefully around the bowel.
The camera sends pictures to a screen so the specialist can clearly see the lining of your bowel.
You may feel the tube being inserted, but most people do not find the test painful.
The procedure itself usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes. Your whole appointment may take around 2 hours.
What to expect on the day
On the day of your colonoscopy, we will explain what will happen. We will answer any last questions you may have.
We will ask you to sign a consent form to confirm you are happy to go ahead. You will then change into a hospital gown.
For the test, you will lie on your left side with your knees slightly bent. The colonoscope is gently inserted into your bottom and guided through the large bowel. The tube bends easily so it can move around the natural curves of the bowel.
The specialist may gently pump in a small amount of gas or water to open the bowel and get a clearer view. You might feel bloated or feel like you need to go to the toilet. This is normal, and your bowels should already be empty. Some people also feel mild stomach cramps.
A colonoscopy may feel uncomfortable at times, but it should not be painful. If you feel pain, you can let the team know and they will help make you more comfortable.
We may offer you options to help you relax, such as pain relief, gas and air, or sedation (medicine given through a small tube in your arm to help you feel calm and relaxed).
Recovery
After the test, you will move to a recovery area where nurses will look after you until you are ready to go home.
You may feel a little bloated or have mild stomach cramps for a short time after the procedure. This usually settles within a few hours.
If you had sedation, you might feel drowsy. Because of this, you will need someone to take you home and stay with you for a while. For the next 24 hours, you should not drive, drink alcohol, or operate machinery.
Some people notice a small amount of blood in their poo for a couple of days after the test. This can be normal.
Colonoscopy is generally a very safe test and serious complications are rare. However, you should contact your GP, NHS 111, or the hospital if you have:
- heavy bleeding
- bad stomach pain
- a high temperature.
Results
You may get your results on the same day, or it may take a few weeks. Your GP will also get a copy.
There are four possible outcomes:
- Normal result, meaning no polyps or bowel conditions were found
- Polyps found – these are removed during the test
- Further monitoring needed
- A small number of people are diagnosed with bowel cancer.
If we find cancer, we will refer you to a specialist team who will support you and discuss treatment options.
When we find bowel cancer early, treatment is often very successful.
If you have questions or would like more information, you can speak to us or contact the national bowel screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
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