Do you check your poo?

[Alan]

I must have the most unglamorous, unpaid, but respected(!) position on the forum! But as I've just taken part in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (thankfully with a normal result) here goes:-
You SHOULD note persistent changes in bowel habit (if for more than a few days), and colour of the stools. Fresh blood MAY not be sinister - it could just be from a local cause like piles.
The point of the screening programme is to look for bowel cancer at an early stage. It can also detect polyps which may develop into cancer but can be easily removed. It offers screening every 2 years for everyone aged 60-69.
The risk of developing bowel cancer increases with age. People with a family history, who take little exercise, who are overweight, with a diet high in red meat, low in vegetables, fruit and fibre, are thought to be at increased risk.
The screening test detects tiny amounts of blood (Faecal Occult (hidden) Blood = FOB). Polyps and bowel cancers may bleed, and that may be obvious in the stools (or occult). The FOB test does not diagnose cancer but if positive (or if there's obvious blood) investigation like colonoscopy will be offered. If bowel cancer is diagnosed early there is a 90% chance of survival.
If the stools are dark or black (melaena) that can indicate bleeding "further up" , like the stomach, where the blood is altered by acid. Again, it could be cancer, but there are other causes like ulcers.
Don't think what I've said applies only to old people! Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, Coeliac disease, and even cancer can all affect young people. At the same time, please read this as sensible advice, not scaremongering!

I've suddenly gone off my dinner!

Al.

[Doc Alan]

I've suddenly gone off my dinner!

Al.

That's why my response was mostly in small print! Many other "bodily matters" been discussed on the forum, and this is a serious topic. But a simple examination is easy Even providing screening samples is not difficult. Don't forget, 98% of screening samples give a normal result (reassurance but not a guarantee). The idea is NOT to make us hypochondriacs, just to use common sense and a little knowledge to prevent ill health.