Bowel Screening

[Drisgirl]

Thpight 50 was the new 40 lol

I have had my mammogram (yesterday).

I now have been invited to supply a sample for screening for the above.I know its nothing but has anyone else had to 'provide' and what did it entail -you dont have to be too graphic lol

I am definitetly going to do it -we berate the NHS but within weeks of my 50th I was offerd a mammogram and bowel screening -(the mammograms out the way now).

I am well impressed and would be interested if anyone else withinn literally weeks of their 50th have had this service from the NHS.

I am assured its normal -but im wondering if they are referring only to Scotland.

Has anyone never received the service I have had and where are you from as I think it should be available to all men and women reaching 50 -regardless of the service they are offering -im not expecting men to be offerred mammograms but are you offered a prostate test or even a examination just for example?

Where are you from -I can see a petition looming !!!

[Ethel]

I had to provide samples. Stomach churning at first, but you do get used to it.

Do not have any of those toilet scenter things or such like in the loo.

Empty bladder, flush loo.

Put lots of toilet paper ON TOP of the water in the pan. Empty bowel.
Hopefully the stool will be on the paper and not in the water. From there it is easy enough to get a small sample in to the container provided. You don't need a lot.

Yes, it should be available to all.

[shaneystar2]

Hi Dris
Glad you gritted your teeth with the old pancake maker :)
I had the bowel cancer screening thing and sent it in and got an all clear result which I was surprised about considering my irritable innards .It's very simple .Don't want to be too graphic for the squeamys but ..you go ( not in the pan )use a clean marg tub or something They give you these little sticks and you just dab it onto the test paper write the date and seal it up .You have to do this three times within a two week period .
They must be more on the ball in Scotland because it's only old gals and guys like me (over 60's )here in England that get it .xx

[Drisgirl]

Thanks Ethel -I just wondered how I would get it onto the sample bottle and i'm not kidding.I have now had a follow up letter -they are quite relentless and thats a good idea -thats just what i'll do.

Was this available to you within weeks of your 50th?

I am curious to see if this is not offered to everyone .

I could be selfish and think -o well im alright jack but it concerns me that others dont seem to be getting the same service.

I hope ypou dont mind me asking -and BTW -we are then screened from now on in every 3yrs.

[Robinia]

I've not been offered bowel screening yet (mid 50s, live in Derbys) but three times within two weeks shaney?....bit optimistic, haha.

[poltergeist]

wow i was just going to have a chocolate bar with my tea. that idea is out of the winbdow

[quizbag]

I've done it. Easy peasy and no mess at all. Had results within 10 days. In Wales they are working their way through based on the date so Jan 1st Jan 2nd etc. Saves me a lot of worry as my father died of bowel cancer.

[Ethel]

I don't think it existed when I turned 50, dris. :)

[Rosetta]

Welcome to the boob squishers club.
The mammogram isn't too bad though, its easier the next time as you aren't so churned up about it. Well done for facing it and getting it done.

As Shaneystar says we get the bowel screening test in England (in my area) at 60+. I have that to look forward to later this year lol

[shaneystar2]

Doh ! Yer know what I meant Robinia :)
I wonder if they do forgetful and silly screening tests :)

[Sachs]

Hi Dris!
I was 50 in December & have'nt had anything sent ...(Manchester ) xxx

[Drisgirl]

I think its fabulous that we within the Tayside Health Board have a service who are so on the ball.
However it would appear that this is not a 'given' even within scoland where we 'should have the same health Service.

I am saddened that it would appear that it does appear to be a 'postcode' lottery.

2 simple service which could fundamentally save the NHS millions given that the ethos is to prevent rather than cure.

That is the reason i am intriqued how many at the age of 50 (I received my first letter 2 days after my birthday) have not been given the opportunity i have had and I which i think should be a right for everyone.

How does anyone think about this now they know what is happening within our 'United' Kingdom?

Thanks shaney BTW -I have deliberately avoided reading it but now ive mammo'd then i'll do the other one -I have it here (tthe reminder that is lol) and I am sure gonna do it.

Do men get an alternative test -like a testicle test?

[Sachs]

Think I'll enquire at my docs Dris!

[shaneystar2]

Have a look here Dris
http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/

[Drisgirl]

Rosetta and Sachs (sky x) -you want to get onto your Health Board -thats shameful that we are receiving services which are not available to you nor parts of Scotland either

i know we laught hat we dont have to pay bridge tolls and things in Scotland but thats tonque in cheek -but this is health and its crucial we are all given the same service nationwide
My friend had breasty cancer at 38 - and a wee girl died a few years back with the same when she was just 29.

Its not an 'old' womans disease by any shape nor form -neither is bowel cancer - so I think we should all be on a level playing field as far as this is concerned.

I am really quite sad and appallled.

i hope you take what i have said on board and hassle your MP about this -its your right man and woman -I can provide further info to back up if you feel you are being fobbed off -just EMail me [email protected].

I'll give you all the the info i have.

BTW -I dont rant any more but I do feel its very unfair that we are not all treated the same as far as health is concerned.

[ethandron]

glad the mammogram went ok for you dris, nothing to it is there? i live north of birmingham (how far north you'll have to guess) but south of scotland and we don't have bowel screening until over 60. i really wish we did though as my dad had bowel cancer which had spread to his liver before they diagnosed it. it's probably something i ought to ask about next time i'm at the surgery.
you sound like you're on a crusade now dris, good for you. nothing like facing your fears is there?

[Drisgirl]

Sky -I would demand it.

Shaney -that shows that there is a budget and obviously my Health Board has the budget.

Thats not right -women between the ages of 50-70 -that ludicrous -like I said before surely prevention or early detection must be cheaper than cure or even more invasive surgery and the follow up -for the NHS and emotionally for the patient.

Im really shocked -just shows what I took for granted -also just shows, and i have hopefully highlighted that its your right, and dont wait for the letter to pop through your door when youre 60 or 65.

[Robinia]

what I meant shaney was that it's optimistic on their part to get 3 samples within two weeks...haha...must eat more fibre. ;o)

[Drisgirl]

ethandron -im sad for what happened -im also appaled that its not nationwide -loike I said i thought it was par for the course -waited on the ebvelope coming though the post to remind me I was 50 -and im not being funny -its just something we laugh about up here.

Its shocking that you arent even being screened because of family history let alone any thing else.

I would hope that anyone would write to their MPs or bother their GPs -i for one will take it up.If i feel strongly about something then i act rather than react.So rest assure I shall take this up even tho i am one of the lucky ones.

60 might just be too late -im not scaremongering but you all know what i mean.

I'll just take it straight to Westminster as there are anomlies in Scotland as well -i'll keep you posted and yip i do feel stongly yet I am one of the lucky ones.

Please bother anyone in the interim you can think of -like my wee letter is gonna do much good !!

[Drisgirl]

Typos -sorry lol -you get my drift

[Sachs]

Will definately phone doctors next week Dris! I had heard from someone on here that around 50 you get a mammogram screening, thanks for the reminder! Enjoy your evening Dris xxx