Bowel Screening

[Drisgirl]

Thoight 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 offered a mammogram and bowel screening -(the mammograms out the way now).

I am well impressed and would be interested if anyone else within 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 an examination just for example?

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

[waterboatman]

it is standard practice in Gloucestershire,(least ways I was offered it and took up the offer). It just means what it said, you provide a sample (they should provide a little container for this), you hand it in and they check for bowel cancer and you get the results in about a week.. Easy.
Go for it girl.

[patsyann]

My Husband and I have both received the screening. It is sent through the post and little smear samples have to be spread in three little windows that are then sealed up and posted to a laboratory. The results came back very quickly. Hubby was in the clear but mine was a bit dubious so had to do the tests twice more .Then I was cleared. It is well worth it for peace of mind. My Husband just scraped in at nearly 70 and I am 68. It is a government directive. We live in Hampshire.Think it is for age 50 to 70. Go for it.

[patsyann]

oops just seen your previous answers. Any way looks like different areas may send different ways of doing the test. Ours went to a lab in Guildford so it was their kit that was posted to us. I t really was very simple though but ours said no way allow contents to drop into the toilet bowl. Had to be caught. LOL.

[chookie pie]

interesting subject i am over 50 and have had a mammogram but not bowel screening this is an excellent thing to be offered.i also think men should have the equivalent as they can develop breast cancer too.
a prostrate test from their gp is available if they ask for it
i think the new goverment rules brought in tests for over 50 and it is a good thing as prevention is better than cure

[Drisgirl]

Thank you all for your ace replies -looks like there is a divide nationally and personally (although I have been lucky) I think it should be standard practice for any man or woman to be offered mammograms .bowel screening at the age of 50 and a follow up 3 yrs after (which is the practice for smears and is the practice in Tayside for mammograms and bowel screening).

Time for peeps to lobby -I shal even tho I am fortunate but I do know its not standard practice throughout Scotland.

If you have time please send a letter to yout MP and use my Health board as an example.Only 5 mins of your time but it could make your life longer.

[Drisgirl]

BTW -i found the plastic 'bags' and thought what are they for -now I know and im glad i kept them -so I am awaiting my next motion -bet youre all glad you read this -tee hee !!

[chinadog]

Bowel screening starts at the age of 60 here in Wales Drigirl. Im waiting for my test to arrive.

[missprim]

I am 62yrs old and live in Manchester.
Have had 3yr Mammagrams since the age of 50yrs, but have never been offered bowel screening, in fact, I've never even heard about it.

[Drisgirl]

well there ya go misprim -get into action so we ALL have the same offfered to us.

I certainly shall even though im one of the lucky ones but im astounded that everyone is not offerred tge same service.

Please write a wee letter -the more they get then they have to act upon it. -hey might even save a life !

CD-even 60 is unacceptable when you now know ts routine in Tayside at 50 and therefore should be nationwide -hope you are fine hun -its the wating isnt it?

BTW -lobby yer MP -will only take a few mins and use Tayside as an example -cheers !!1 x