The NHS has updated a project that helps detect one of the UK’s most common forms of cancer. According to Bowel Cancer UK, around 268,000 people in the UK have been diagnosed with bowel cancer. It is considered the 4th most common cancer in the UK, nearly 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK.
Discover our latest podcast
To help combat bowel cancer, the NHS has expanded the age range of the at-home test kit that helps detect whether a person has bowel cancer. The goal of expanding the age range is to diagnose people earlier in a bid to raise the chances of beating cancer.
NHS handing out Bowel cancer health kits
As reported by Express, if you are between the ages of 56 and 74 and you are registered with a GP, you will receive an at-home bowel cancer screening kit every two years. Before the NHS changed the age range, the kits were sent out to people over the age of 60.
As per the Bowel Cancer UK website, 94% of new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed in people over the age of 50.
Dr Chris Streather, medical director at NHS London, said:
Screening — which you can do in private at home — is one of the best ways to diagnose bowel cancer early.
Or, in some cases, prevent [bowel cancer] from developing in the first place.
How does the at-home bowel cancer screening kit work?
The bowel cancer screening kit uses the faecal immunochemical test (FIT). Those who receive the kit will send a sample of their poo, which is then sent off to a laboratory for testing. Once you’ve sent your sample, you should receive the test results two weeks later.
If your test results show something abnormal, you will likely be asked to go to the hospital for further tests, either to confirm or rule out cancer. According to Express, 2 in 100 people are asked to have more tests.
It’s important to note that the bowel cancer screening kit can also detect other problems such as piles - also known as haemorrhoids.
If you are over the age of 75 and wish to receive an at-home bowel cancer screening kit, you can call 0800 707 60 60 to request one.
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
The following symptoms could be a sign of bowel cancer. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's best to consult your GP and you don't need to have used the at-home bowel cancer screening kit beforehand.
- Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
- Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
- Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
- Bleeding from your bottom
- Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet
- Tummy pain
- Bloating
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling very tired for no reason.
Read more:
⋙ Comedian Mark Steel reveals cancer diagnosis, here's what we know
⋙ Breast Cancer Awareness Month: This bad habit could be very dangerous for your health
⋙ How to tell the difference between haemorrhoids and anal cancer
Sources used:
Express: ‘Adults aged 56 to 74 to be sent life-saving health tests to their home’
Bowel Cancer UK: ‘Bowel cancer’
