GP's are not directly involved (it's "do it yourself", as explained in the invitation letter which by now you should have received). However they are notified when invitations are being sent to their area, so it could be worth asking in case you have been missed out. Because it's a screening test the results are normal in 98% of cases. www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk
It's Christmas Ian so I wasn't going into detail on the forum, but I'm not talking about endoscopy or colonoscopyI'm referring to "FOB" testing (faecal occult blood), meaning taking your own samples of poo, and sending them in the supplied containers to be analysed for traces of blood ( which COULD be a sign of a benign growth / polyp OR cancer). Only if those samples were positive would the person be invited for further testing such as endoscopy / colonoscopy.
I'm happy you read my intentionally brief posts. Brian Hanrahan's premature death has drawn attention on the forum to a common cancer for which regular screening is now known to reduce the risk of dying by 16%.
However I don't think a few days before Christmas, and this thread, is the best time and place to say more about a cancer which is strongly linked to lifestyle and diet here in the UK, the Philippines, and elsewhere in the world.
There is much information on the internet. However, some of it is unreliable! ( A report quoted recently on the forum linked reduction in size of certain brain structures - understandably obscure to most people - to cannabis consumption, without mentioning that alcohol has the same effect!).
Possibly in the New Year I will give a short and readable account of bowel cancer which does not only affect over 60's !
I had an unpleasant experience back in July. I had to have mine inspected. The doctor said with a smile and a glint in his eye,'it wont hurt, just a little uncomfortable' well bugger if it wasn't. I heard the snap of the rubber glove going on so, I thought, here goes, hang on to your hat and think of England. Well, uncomfortable it wasn't, painful it was! It felt more like a fist as opposed to his middle finger going in. What concerned me most, was he had both hands on my shoulders!
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