Cancer Screening

[johnb80]

Hi,

A little time ago I lost a long term friend to Colon cancer. He didn't have any symptoms but he did get an 'abnormal' result from his FIT test (a DIY test that's sent to you when you get towards the autumnal years of life). He was invited for further tests by way of a Colonoscopy but he refused stating the embarrassment, loss of dignity etc of having a camera put where the sun doesn't shine and beyond. In less than 6 months he was dead.

A couple of weeks ago I received my annual testing kit through the post and promptly did the test mailing it back to the NHS lab. Whilst away in Wales a few days ago I received my test results 'Abnormal', potentially my first brush with Cancer in my 70 years of life. I accepted the invitation and I've had the initial consultation with the SSP (Specialist Screening Practitioner) who was absolutely brilliant. She put me at ease, explained that 11% of people nothing is found, 50% of people Polyps are found and removed (Polyps are a precursor to cancer) and another 11% cancer was found. I've been assured that there's nothing to be embarrassed about and they will do everything they can to protect my modesty. I'm not in the slightest bit worried about the procedure after the conversation with the SSP I have no concerns / embarrassment / modesty etc. They even offered a choice of colonoscopist - male or female! Frankly I don't mind, I just want to get this over and done.

I'm now waiting to be summoned which I'm told should be within 2 weeks, they don't hang around.

The real point of my message is don't fear these services, embrace them, don't die of embarrassment like my mate did.

 

[Alb]

I had a sigmoidoscopy recently. Slightly uncomfortable but not painful and it's fascinating to be able to watch the monitor whilst it's actually happening. Never felt embarrassed at any stage.

 

[MG Clive]

Thanks @johnb80, I've just returned my poo test and await the results, in my opinion, all tests are a good thing at our age, these things must be caught as soon as possible.

 

[salty]

Totally agree.

 

[siteguru]

In Scotland we get the poo sticks test kit every 2 or 3 years from age 50. Mine have all been OK so far.

 

[Joules]

In Scotland we get the poo sticks test kit every 2 or 3 years from age 50. Mine have all been OK so far.

Hi,

A little time ago I lost a long term friend to Colon cancer. He didn't have any symptoms but he did get an 'abnormal' result from his FIT test (a DIY test that's sent to you when you get towards the autumnal years of life). He was invited for further tests by way of a Colonoscopy but he refused stating the embarrassment, loss of dignity etc of having a camera put where the sun doesn't shine and beyond. In less than 6 months he was dead.

A couple of weeks ago I received my annual testing kit through the post and promptly did the test mailing it back to the NHS lab. Whilst away in Wales a few days ago I received my test results 'Abnormal', potentially my first brush with Cancer in my 70 years of life. I accepted the invitation and I've had the initial consultation with the SSP (Specialist Screening Practitioner) who was absolutely brilliant. She put me at ease, explained that 11% of people nothing is found, 50% of people Polyps are found and removed (Polyps are a pre curser to cancer) and another 11% cancer was found. I've been assured that there's nothing to be embarrassed about and they will do everything they can to protect my modesty. I'm not in the slightest bit worried about the procedure after the conversation with the SSP I have no concerns / embarrassment / modesty etc. They even offered a choice of colonoscopist - male or female! Frankly I don't mind, I just want to get this over and done.

I'm now waiting to be summoned which I'm told should be within 2 weeks, they don't hang around.

The real point of my message is don't fear these services, embrace them, don't die of embarrassment like my mate did.

Been there done that...wearing the T shirt. As Siteguru says that was the case with me, but mine picked up a bit of blood. Further investigation picked up polyps, but nothing to worry about. Had them removed, elected for gas&air, which gets you up and about sooner and is maaaarvelouuusss. I was high as a kite and apparently talking gibberish...more than normal anyway. In addition, I was able to watch the process on a monitor beside me before I drifted off into oblivion

The worst bit for me was the gunge you have to take prior to going in for the op. It's supposed to taste of orange, is very sickly sweet . Once taken...keep a clear path to the loo.

You've made the right decision and is a shame about your friend...but is a message in its self.

Good Luck and I hope all goes well.

 

[maskull]

Don't think they do the poo sticks after 75 in Wales. Sort of telling you "You've had good innings deal with it '

 

[johnb80]

In Scotland we get the poo sticks test kit every 2 or 3 years from age 50. Mine have all been OK so far.

My previous ones have been ok too, not this time though

Don't think they do the poo sticks after 75 in Wales. Sort of telling you "You've had good innings deal with it '

Apparently they don’t send them automatically after 75, you have to request them. It seems fair enough, infinite need ‘v’ finite resource.

 

[Bam Bam]

Sorry to hear about your friend, @johnb80. What a terrible shame.

I had a couple of colonic investigations as a relatively young man and it was mildly uncomfortable but good to get a clean bill of health and get things checked out.

Men are notoriously bad around health and doctors, for some reason. Thanks for raising the issue here.

 

[Shrink Proof]

Apparently they don’t send them automatically after 75, you have to request them. It seems fair enough, infinite need ‘v’ finite resource.

Screening over 75s does have some benefits, but the drawbacks are greater than for younger folk so it's less worthwhile. Both the risk and severity of complications from the screening itself increase with age, and these can be severe, including bleeding and perforation of the colon.

So current thinking is that the decision whether to screen those over 75 should be made on an individual basis, ideally targeting those with a higher risk of cancer. That means concentrating on folk with an adverse family history, higher alcohol intake, a diet rich in processed and/or red meat, obesity and smoking - all of which raise your risk.

In addition, life expectancy goes down for everyone the older you get (obviously) and by that time of life there are other competing causes of death looming....

 

[johnb80]

Screening over 75s does have some benefits, but the drawbacks are greater than for younger folk so it's less worthwhile. Both the risk and severity of complications from the screening itself increases with age, and these can be severe, including bleeding and perforation of the colon.

Yep, all explained.

So current thinking is that the decision whether to screen those over 75 should be made on an individual basis, ideally targeting those with a higher risk of cancer. That means concentrating on folk with an adverse family history, higher alcohol intake, a diet rich in processed and/or red meat, obesity and smoking - all of which raise your risk.

Aye, the information sent to me said after 75 you had to request the FIT test unless you were in a higher risk category in which case they sent them out automatically. In cases where cancer / high risk polyps were found, annual colonoscopies are offered.
In USA, after 45 they do colonoscopies routinely to monitor you, oddly, they ALWAYS use sedation.

In addition, life expectancy goes down for everyone the older you get (obviously) and by that time of life there are other competing causes of death looming....

Yup and I assume that any cancer there could be looked on as it would take more time to develop than your remaining life?

 

[Slipstream]

Hi,

A little time ago I lost a long term friend to Colon cancer. He didn't have any symptoms but he did get an 'abnormal' result from his FIT test (a DIY test that's sent to you when you get towards the autumnal years of life). He was invited for further tests by way of a Colonoscopy but he refused stating the embarrassment, loss of dignity etc of having a camera put where the sun doesn't shine and beyond. In less than 6 months he was dead.

A couple of weeks ago I received my annual testing kit through the post and promptly did the test mailing it back to the NHS lab. Whilst away in Wales a few days ago I received my test results 'Abnormal', potentially my first brush with Cancer in my 70 years of life. I accepted the invitation and I've had the initial consultation with the SSP (Specialist Screening Practitioner) who was absolutely brilliant. She put me at ease, explained that 11% of people nothing is found, 50% of people Polyps are found and removed (Polyps are a pre curser to cancer) and another 11% cancer was found. I've been assured that there's nothing to be embarrassed about and they will do everything they can to protect my modesty. I'm not in the slightest bit worried about the procedure after the conversation with the SSP I have no concerns / embarrassment / modesty etc. They even offered a choice of colonoscopist - male or female! Frankly I don't mind, I just want to get this over and done.

I'm now waiting to be summoned which I'm told should be within 2 weeks, they don't hang around.

The real point of my message is don't fear these services, embrace them, don't die of embarrassment like my mate did.

Same for me I was sent a FIT test turned out I had minute specks of blood in the sample. Went for a colonoscopy diagnosed with stage two bowl cancer. Within two weeks had surgery. Am now cancer free. That tiny test kit saved my life .

 

[johnb80]

Same for me I was sent a FIT test turned out I had minute specks of blood in the sample. Went for a colonoscopy diagnosed with stage two bowl cancer. Within two weeks had surgery. Am now cancer free. That tiny test kit saved my life .

Well done that man, if only everyone would do that, so many lives would be saved.

 

[Susanna]

The information on these posts has been very helpful, as I had no idea that the automatic arrival of the test kits stopped at age 75 - the age I am now. I will certainly request one when next due, as I also do for a mammogram. I feel that we are lucky to be offered routine screening free of charge.

I hope the men over 50 on this forum also take advantage of routine PSA tests. The treatments have improved dramatically, with mostly excellent results. My local hospital now offers High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) with plans to incorporate MRI-Fusion biopsy and other focal therapy technologies, for the treatment of prostate cancer.

 

[Archev]

In Scotland we get the poo sticks test kit every 2 or 3 years from age 50. Mine have all been OK so far.

I wrote some nonsense after my last test was dropped in the postbox.

POSTAL BOWEL SCREENING
(A crapping good yarn)

I was crouching over the toilet bowl
Attempting to catch a poo
When the bloody phone began to ring
“Your PPI check’s due”
Keep the excrement out of the water
Says the leaflet in the kit
So this is where life's brought me
I’m a lifeguard for a sh_t
It shows in little pictograms
How to save your little motion
But squatting, pooping, catching
That needs physical devotion
Now I'm not averse to healthcare
I'm a switched on modern chap
But I imagined healthy exercise
Not poking about in cr_p
So with my favoured method
To keep the body waste from damp
I hover there expectantly
And my bloody leg takes cramp.
But that's it done and dusted
I hope the results are clear
And I live to defecate again
In the postbox in two years.

By. Archie McKellar.

 

[johnb80]

I wrote some nonsense after my last test was dropped in the postbox.

POSTAL BOWEL SCREENING
(A crapping good yarn)

I was crouching over the toilet bowl
Attempting to catch a poo
When the bloody phone began to ring
“Your PPI check’s due”
Keep the excrement out of the water
Says the leaflet in the kit
So this is where life's brought me
I’m a lifeguard for a sh_t
It shows in little pictograms
How to save your little motion
But squatting, pooping, catching
That needs physical devotion
Now I'm not averse to healthcare
I'm a switched on modern chap
But I imagined healthy exercise
Not poking about in cr_p
So with my favoured method
To keep the body waste from damp
I hover there expectantly
And my bloody leg takes cramp.
But that's it done and dusted
I hope the results are clear
And I live to defecate again
In the postbox in two years.

By. Archie McKellar.

Archie, youve made my day

Thank you

 

[Shrink Proof]

Yup and I assume that any cancer there could be looked on as it would take more time to develop than your remaining life?

That's part of it. Another consideration is whether any proposed treatment would adversely affect any other ongoing medical problems and v.v. For instance, the impact of major bowel surgery on someone with significant heart and chest trouble.

 

[JonnyG]

Hope all goes well @johnb80. and I couldn't agree more with your advice.

As well as the "rear" end, it's also well worth keeping aware of the "front" end too as @Susanna says above

In early 2016 I noted I was wanting to go for a pee quite often, especially at night, and also had quite a slow "stream". A visit to the GP resulted in a PSA blood test which came back higher than normal. A follow up MRI scan and then a prostate biopsy revealed I had prostate cancer.

After discusiing with the Consultant and a friend of the family I opted for a prostatectomy. After 2-3 months recovery from the surgery my PSA was still slightly elevated. It should have been <0.1 after full prostate removal. So the further treatment was 6 weeks of targeted radiotherapy going in everyday Mon-Fri which included a longish wait each appointment to fill the bladder after drinking a lot of water !. Thankfully that treatment worked and a massive shout out to all the staff at St James Hospital Oncology wing. You certainly make a few friends with fellow patients and staff during those appointments.

Anyway so far so good with my now annual PSA checks - all have been <0.1 since 2016.

I do take advantage of all NHS tests etc. and have just had my bowel all clear letter thankfully. It does give a helpline number to ring for those over 75 if they want a screening.

 

[salty]

Excellent ! JonnyG.

 

[johnb80]

Update Ladies and Gents,
I now have my appointment, 31st July, I had a telephone conversation with the staff and expressed my wishes for a female Colonoscopist and no sedation which they said no problem. They also told me they use CO2 to inflate my colon as required and this is more comfortable than the normal air that is used in many units. I have some wonderful laxative to take the day before and on the day, 'Plenvu' which is apparently better tasting and less of it needed compared to the other options.