New approach to bowel cancer testing

PEOPLE who need testing for bowel cancer will now be able to carry out a simple at-home diagnostic instead of having to go to hospital.

The new approach has been introduced for patients across the county.

Previously, those with symptoms that could indicate bowel cancer were all referred, by their GP, to Leicester’s Hospitals for a colon scan.

This involves the use of dye and X-rays to examine the inside of the bowel. However, some patients are now being given an initial simple test that they can carry out in the priva- cy of their own home.

Dr Paul Danaher explained: “Patients who have a change in their bowel habits but have no other symptoms will now not need to go to hospital for a test. Instead, they will be sent a kit so that they can take a small sample of their poo and send it back for testing. The test that is carried out will be looking for small amounts of blood that are not visible to the naked eye. Patients will only be called for hospital tests if blood is found.

“Patients who also have other symptoms, not just a change in bowel habits, will still be referred, by the GP, for further tests straight away and, with less demand for this test, we anticipate that these patients will be seen more quickly than before.”

Bowel cancer is the second biggest cause of death from cancer in the UK and, currently, only 15 per cent of patients are diagnosed at the earliest stage of the illness, which is when it is easiest to treat.

The NHS already operates bowel cancer screening, using a scope exam from age 55, then between 60 and 74 sending out the home testing kits - like the ones now introduced for this initial sampling.