Full list of topics

The Faecal Occult Blood test for bowel cancer :
What is the NHS bowel cancer screening programme?
The pilot and the programme since then
Initial reaction to the invitation for screening
People's views of the initial information leaflet
Why people decide to take part in screening
Why some were reluctant or did not take part
The instructions for using the FOBt kit
Doing the Faecal Occult Blood test at home
Storing the samples and posting them
Getting a 'normal' result of a FOBt by post
Getting an 'unclear' or 'abnormal' result by post

When a screening test is abnormal :
Talking to specialist practitioners about results
Preparing for a colonoscopy
The colonoscopy procedure and treatment
Side effects of colonoscopy
Getting colonoscopy results

More treatment needed after an initial colonoscopy :
More treatment needed after an initial colonoscopy

Views of the service and messages to others :
Views of the service and messages to others

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Bowel screening

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Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 20 >> He had no problem drinking the medicines to empty his bowel.

Invited for screening in 2001. The result of his Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal. He had a colonoscopy and polypectomy. Subsequent colonoscopies have all been normal.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with cancer >> Interview 46 >> She was hungry and enjoyed the tea and biscuits after the colonoscopy. She had no side effects.

Invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2006. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal, so she had a colonoscopy, when five polyps were removed. One polyp was cancerous, so she had a left hemi-colectomy.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 18 >> Having a colonoscopy was easier than having a tooth out.

Invited for screening in 2006, when aged 69. The Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal. This led to a colonoscopy, a biopsy, and then another colonoscopy and the removal of benign polyps.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Interview 47 >> Andrea Giles, specialist screening practitioner, explains what happens during a colonoscopy.

No information given.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 26 >> The colonoscopy was not as difficult as he expected it to be.

Screened in 2006, when aged 66. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was unclear. The next test was abnormal. A colonoscopy showed there were some benign polyps, which were removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Interview 47 >> Andrea Giles, specialist screening practitioner, explains 'sedation'.

No information given.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 42 >> The doctor found four polyps in her bowel. Three were removed during the colonoscopy and she felt nothing.

In 2006 her Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal, so she had a colonoscopy. Three small polyps were removed. She had a right hemi-colectomy to remove a larger polyp, which was not malignant.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 20 >> It wasn't painful when the polyps were removed and he watched it all on the screen.

Invited for screening in 2001. The result of his Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal. He had a colonoscopy and polypectomy. Subsequent colonoscopies have all been normal.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Declined FOBt >> Interview 06 >> She thinks that the letter and initial information leaflet should be more explicit about what might happen during a colonoscopy.

Has been invited to be screened for bowel cancer twice, but has not done the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test mainly because she is afraid of having further investigations.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Declined FOBt >> Interview 06 >> She decided against taking part because had reacted badly to sedatives and anaesthetics and feared investigations such as colonoscopy.

Has been invited to be screened for bowel cancer twice, but has not done the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test mainly because she is afraid of having further investigations.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Declined FOBt >> Interview 11 >> He found colonoscopy embarrassing, undignified and depressing. This was one reason why he did not want to take part in screening.

He was invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2005, when aged 67, but for various reasons he decided not to take part.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Interview 47 >> Andrea Giles, specialist screening practitioner, explains how people must prepare for a colonoscopy.

No information given.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 37 >> The doctor wanted him relaxed but not too drowsy during the colonoscopy.

He was invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2006, when aged 65. After an abnormal Faecal Occult Blood test he had a colonoscopy, during which two benign polyps were removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 26 >> The laxatives were not a big problem, and tasted no worse than the other medicines he takes, but he was still going to the loo at 1am.

Screened in 2006, when aged 66. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was unclear. The next test was abnormal. A colonoscopy showed there were some benign polyps, which were removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with cancer >> Interview 45 >> She thought the laxatives tasted 'sweet'. The third dose gave her watery diarrhoea over several hours, sometimes without warning.

When screened for bowel cancer in 2005, the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal, so she had a colonoscopy. Two polyps were removed. One was found to be malignant (cancerous). Now she is well.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> FOBt with normal result >> Interview 02 >> The laxative she took to prepare for the colonoscopy was sweet and made her feel sick.

Screened in 2001, when aged 58. Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test result normal. In 2003 had bowel problems, consulted her GP, who referred her to a consultant. She had a colonoscopy, with a normal result.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Colonoscopy, all normal >> Interview 29 >> After the colonoscopy he had pain in the area of his colon and later diarrhoea.

Invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2006, when aged 61. His Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal, so he had a colonoscopy. Nothing abnormal was found during the procedure.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with cancer >> Interview 44 >> The first dose of laxatives was not too bad but the second made him sick as well as giving him diarrhoea.

He had a Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test in 2001. The result was abnormal so he had a colonoscopy. Cancer was diagnosed, so later he had part of his bowel removed, followed by chemotherapy. He feels well now.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with cancer >> Interview 46 >> The laxatives tasted like dirty salty water and made her feel sick. They took about half an hour to start working.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 37 >> He added orange squash to take away the taste, but the medicine still didn't taste nice. It gave him watery diarrhoea, but no stomach pains.

He was invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2006, when aged 65. After an abnormal Faecal Occult Blood test he had a colonoscopy, during which two benign polyps were removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with cancer >> Interview 15 >> He found the bowel preparation difficult because his double doses of laxative caused pain as well as diarrhoea.

In 2001, aged 64, he was screened for bowel cancer. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal. After a colonoscopy he was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 24 >> On the morning of the colonoscopy he gave himself an enema to really clear his bowel of faeces.

Screened in 2001 and 2003. Results were normal. In 2005 he did another Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test. The result was unclear. Another test was abnormal, so he had a colonoscopy, during which two polyps were removed. These were not malignant.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 32 >> The doctor removed two polyps during the colonoscopy. It wasn't painful.

He was invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2006 when aged 65. The first Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was unclear so he repeated it. This was abnormal so he had a colonoscopy. Two benign polyps were removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Colonoscopy, all normal >> Interview 38 >> After she had taken the laxatives her husband helped her with her enema. It helped to wash out the remaining faeces from her bowel.

Invited to be screened for bowel cancer 3 times, between 2002 and 2006. The last Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test result was abnormal so she had a colonoscopy, but nothing abnormal was found in the bowel.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 20 >> For three or four days before a colonoscopy he ate a low fibre diet, which included fish and mashed potatoes.

Invited for screening in 2001. The result of his Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal. He had a colonoscopy and polypectomy. Subsequent colonoscopies have all been normal.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> FOBt with normal result >> Interview 02 >> Her low residue diet included foods such as fish, chicken, milk and eggs. She avoided foods high in fibre, such as fruit and vegetables.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 30 >> He ate a small portion of white fish and white bread instead of his usual high fibre diet to prepare his bowel for the colonoscopy.

Screened for bowel cancer in 2006. The result was abnormal, so he had a colonoscopy. Six polyps were removed. They were all benign except one, which was "potentially malignant". He will have another colonoscopy in 2007.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> FOBt with normal result >> Interview 10 >> She was lightly sedated and asked questions during the colonoscopy but afterwards could not remember what had happened.

Invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2005 when aged 62. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was normal.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 31 >> The information sheet advised people to talk to the GP about reducing or discontinuing drugs such as aspirin or warfarin before the colonoscopy.

Invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2006 when aged 68. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal, so he had a colonoscopy, during which one benign polyp was removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 36 >> She was allowed to take medicine for her angina but was told not to take aspirin before her colonoscopy.

Screened for bowel cancer in 2006, when aged 70. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal, so she had a colonoscopy, during which some benign polyps were removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 22 >> He was not to eat or drink anything on the morning of the colonoscopy, during which a polyp was removed.

Invited for screening in 2006, aged 64. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was unclear so he repeated the test, which was abnormal. He had a colonoscopy, and a non-malignant polyp was removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with cancer >> Interview 34 >> His male nurse put him at ease before and during the colonoscopy; the doctor asked him to sign a consent form.

Invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2006, when aged 61. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal, so he had a colonoscopy. One polyp was removed, which was found to be cancerous.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with cancer >> Interview 01 >> He slept through his first colonoscopy and remembered nothing. He had a later colonoscopy without sedation.

Invited for screening in 2001 when aged 62. The first Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test suggested there might be a problem, so test repeated. He had a colonoscopy, was diagnosed with bowel cancer, had surgery and a temporary ileostomy.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> FOBt with normal result >> Interview 03 >> He had a colonoscopy without sedation because he wanted to know what was going on. He did not find it uncomfortable.

Screened in 2000, aged 64. Faecal Occult Blood test (FOB) test was normal, but later he noticed blood in his stools, was referred to a consultant, diagnosed with cancer, and treated with surgery.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 37 >> He felt a cramp but this was relieved when the doctor withdrew some of the air from the bowel.

He was invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2006, when aged 65. After an abnormal Faecal Occult Blood test he had a colonoscopy, during which two benign polyps were removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with cancer >> Interview 35 >> Her nurse stayed with her throughout the procedure. She liked seeing the inside of her bowel on the TV screen.

Screened in 2003, with a normal result. In 2005 another Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal. She had a colonoscopy, during which a small polyp was removed. This was followed by surgery to remove a larger cancerous polyp.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Colonoscopy, all normal >> Interview 29 >> He found it interesting to watch the colonoscopy on the TV screen. He felt nothing as the colonoscope moved around his bowel.

Invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2006, when aged 61. His Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal, so he had a colonoscopy. Nothing abnormal was found during the procedure.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 30 >> He had six polyps removed from the bowel. One was potentially malignant. He was fascinated to see the inside of the bowel.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 20 >> The doctor phoned him within a few days to say that the polyps were benign (not cancerous).

Invited for screening in 2001. The result of his Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal. He had a colonoscopy and polypectomy. Subsequent colonoscopies have all been normal.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Colonoscopy, all normal >> Interview 38 >> She was given antibiotics just before the colonoscopy because she had a leaking mitral valve in her heart.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 24 >> After the colonoscopy he felt slightly 'woozy' and rested in a side ward until the sedative had worn off. He had no other side effects.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 32 >> He rested for an hour after the colonoscopy. Then the hospital staff arranged an ambulance to take him home. He had no side effects.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 37 >> After his colonoscopy he thought that his oxygen levels were a bit low for a while. He had no other side effects.

He was invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2006, when aged 65. After an abnormal Faecal Occult Blood test he had a colonoscopy, during which two benign polyps were removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 18 >> He noticed a trace of blood in his stools after his colonoscopy but this cleared up almost immediately. He had no other side effects.

Invited for screening in 2006, when aged 69. The Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal. This led to a colonoscopy, a biopsy, and then another colonoscopy and the removal of benign polyps.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 22 >> The nurses rang him two days after his colonoscopy to see if he was in 'good shape'. He appreciated their caring attitude.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with cancer >> Interview 34 >> He had pain from wind for about 45 minutes after the colonoscopy. The pain got better gradually after he sat on the toilet for a while.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with cancer >> Interview 45 >> She had 'terrible' cramp and lay on the sofa all night with a hot water bottle.

When screened for bowel cancer in 2005, the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal, so she had a colonoscopy. Two polyps were removed. One was found to be malignant (cancerous). Now she is well.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 24 >> He took about a week off work because he felt he needed to be strong and alert for his job as a bus driver.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 18 >> The doctor explained that he had removed some polyps and had sent them to the laboratory for analysis.

Invited for screening in 2006, when aged 69. The Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal. This led to a colonoscopy, a biopsy, and then another colonoscopy and the removal of benign polyps.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 42 >> When she woke up she learnt that she had to have an operation to remove a polyp. At the time they didn't know if it was benign or cancerous.

In 2006 her Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal, so she had a colonoscopy. Three small polyps were removed. She had a right hemi-colectomy to remove a larger polyp, which was not malignant.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with cancer >> Interview 35 >> Before she went home the doctor told her that she had a suspicious looking polyp and that she would need to see a surgeon.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Colonoscopy, all normal >> Interview 38 >> Immediately after her colonoscopy the nurse told her that the doctor had seen a slightly enlarged valve separating the large bowel from the small bowe

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 28 >> The nurse rang her with the result of the colonoscopy. The polyps that had been removed were benign (not cancerous).

She asked if she could be screened for bowel cancer. The result of a Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal, so she had a colonoscopy, during which two benign polyps were removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 31 >> The nurse phoned to say that the polyp had been benign and that he did not need to keep the hospital appointment unless he wanted to discuss his resul

Invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2006 when aged 68. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal, so he had a colonoscopy, during which one benign polyp was removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 33 >> He went to see the nurse at the hospital. She told him that the polyp removed during the colonoscopy was not cancerous.

He was invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2006. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal, so he had a colonoscopy, during which one benign polyp was removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 26 >> The nurse explained everything and told him that the results were good. He will have another test in two years time.

Screened in 2006, when aged 66. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was unclear. The next test was abnormal. A colonoscopy showed there were some benign polyps, which were removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with polyps >> Interview 40 >> He felt a great sense of relief when the nurse told him that he had only benign polyps and that the biopsy was 'clear'.

She was invited to be screened for bowel cancer. A Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test in 2003 was abnormal so she repeated the test. This was also abnormal. She had a colonoscopy, during which polyps were removed.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with cancer >> Interview 15 >> He went to the hospital to get his results a week after the colonoscopy. The doctor explained that he had cancer and would need surgery.

In 2001, aged 64, he was screened for bowel cancer. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was abnormal. After a colonoscopy he was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> Diagnosed with cancer >> Interview 34 >> He was shocked when the nurse told him he had cancer. His wife phoned the nurse after she got home for information and reassurance.

Cancer >> Bowel screening >> FOBt with normal result >> Interview 03 >> The doctor told him that he had cancer and would need surgery as soon as possible.

Screened in 2000, aged 64. Faecal Occult Blood test (FOB) test was normal, but later he noticed blood in his stools, was referred to a consultant, diagnosed with cancer, and treated with surgery.