General Chat

It is 50 in my area.
My Oh had on sent a few years ago. He said he wasnt doing it,thought it was....disgusting lol. anyway I said well I hope you dont ever get bowel cancer and think of the people who dont get the offer of the test,who ,then end up with cancer.
Next time it was sent he did it ,still felt awkward about .Then the last one he didn't hesitate about it.
It's very easy to do and a lot easier than dealing with bowel cancer.

I think anyone being offered any kind of test should take it,because, you
never know it could save your life. But, it's your own body and own decision.

Marion

Agree - do it! Nothing to lose & peace of mind to gain, hopefully.

Over 60s in Devon.

I would urge anyone with oppurtunity to take the test to do so. My Dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 1981, had the op to remove the cancer and was fitted with a stoma bag, tests showed that he was clear. Sadly, the tests were wrong and Dad died in March 1983. He would have been 55 in May the same year. Such a long and painful time for him and agonising for us to watch, especially for my lovely Mum who nursed him at home.

My Mum was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2006, thankfully caught in the early stages. She refused to have a stoma bag and received pioneering treatment involving both chemo and direct radiotheropy. She still goes for regular check ups and so far everything is ok.

Because of the family history both myself and my siblings were encouraged to go for tests. Two of my siblings had the home test and my older sister and myself both had a colonoscopy. Thankfully we were all clear. I should be called in for a repeat test next year some time.

Thanks to Clatterbridge Hospital my Mum will be 80 next year. <3.

Love you Dad. <3 <3

As I said on another thread of mine re steroids - life is sweet - how much you do not realise until you are in danger of losing it.

Prevention is better than cure. Embarrassment - who is - certainly not the medical staff.

BIG mwaaaahhhhh to BC :-D :-D :-D

Ours start at 60 in Wales. My brother died from bowel cancer so why not take up the test (or any free test for that matter), no point in wearing blinkers.

Sue

Have had at least 2 and have colonoscopies every 5 yrs, one due next yr, the first one revealed polyps, which were removed. Mum died of bowel cancer at the age l am at now!!

jude x

my dad did the test two yrs ago,its not a nice thing to have to do,but bowel cancer is not nice to deal with either,5m of embarrassment could save your life.x

I agree too, Sheila, you have to be aware of your body at all times and get anything unusual checked out but to have these tests available free is very useful and can act as a reminder to check other parts when a test date or that envelope comes through the door.

Lizx

Yes I would agree with that Sheila, you must remain vigilant.

I'm all in favour of screening, but wouldn't rely 100% on it, that is I would still look out for signs and symptoms and see the doc if necessary. OH has done the bowel one (I'm not old enough yet!) - his father had a bowel op a few years ago (he was 93) and luckily did not need chemo or radiotherapy afterwards.

Yes, I have done one and we get them after age 60 in this area too. An old school friend had follow up from hers and they removed 2 polyps that could have become cancerous. Now she will have 3 yearly checks. Her mother died of bowel cancer, so she was very lucky to have had that check.

I think the cost to a family is too high a price to ignore the chances we are given to have cancer caught early, yes there are errors in diagnoses sometimes but in the main, more help can be given to arrest the disease if caught in time.

I know what I prefer, some treatment sooner rather than go through what I saw my father and friend go through at late diagnosis stage ( both through doctors not taking the symptoms seriously enough to act in time)

Oh and the bowel cancer test isn't even painful as mammograms sometimes are.

Lizx

Well I know somebody seriously ill with cancer at the moment who decided to ignore danger signals and take what comes. Much better to get treatment early than to have to go through what he is going through. (and think of your families as well.)

I'm with Mel,take what comes,I don't have a mammogram either, I have had more than enough humiliating messing about at hospitals to last me a lifetime.

I've used the test each time I have been sent one, must be two or even three now, and glad to do it as I would much rather get treatment early as possible if anything was found.

It's not as it it costs anything, unlike those in USA as Marilyn says (Hi Marilyn) and could save your life.

Sad to see so many people who have lost loved ones from this form of cancer.

Lizx

Was offered one once as part of a national programme but chose not to at that time. Too many stresses then and did not want to add to them waiting for results., However not sure how practical the test is as I believe it has to be 3 consecutive samples and that can be difficult for some. Had to give up on GP test for that reason. Must eat more fruit and veg.

Vera

Yes; younger than 70 in our area.

I did one a few months ago and would urge anyone who has the chance to do it.
I lost a niece at just 43 with bowel cancer.

both i and my sister in law had one last year , we both did the test , both clear ... our husbands also had one each , but of course they wouldn't do it ...since then my husband has had prostate cancer, (recoving well) . he will be doing the test next time it is sent ,or he wont hear the end of it .

My hubby was sent a test when he was sixty and again this year when he was sixty-two. He's refused to do it. I'd be afraid not to.

Annie