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Bowel cancer screening

In the UK, bowel cancer ranks as the fourth most frequent cancer. Although therapy is 90% effective if begun early enough, it remains the second leading cause of cancer death. This is largely due to the fact that many cases go untreated until it is too late because patients either fail to recognise the signs or do not seek medical attention right away.

You should consult your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms:

Blood in your poo; bleeding from the bottom; any modifications to your regular bowel movements that last for three weeks or more; unexpected and sudden weight reduction; extreme fatigue.

What is bowel cancer screening?

Bowel screening is a crucial health check for individuals aged 50 and above. It is designed to identify potential symptoms and warning signs of bowel cancer and related illnesses.

During a bowel screening, a CT Colonography is performed to examine the colon and other parts of the abdomen, including the kidneys. This procedure is significantly less invasive compared to a standard colonoscopy.

Early detection of bowel cancer significantly improves the chances of successful treatment. Therefore, it is essential to undergo screening if you experience symptoms such as blood in your stool.

Please get in touch today if you have any questions.

Bowel screening is primarily conducted to identify signs of bowel cancer. It is also effective in detecting advanced colonic polyps, which are a common precursor to bowel cancer. Although these polyps are benign, they can potentially develop into colon cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to detect them early and remove them before they progress.

Additionally, a more advanced scan during a bowel screening can also help identify warning signs of cancer in other nearby organs such as the pancreas and kidneys.

There are two types of bowel screening procedures: CT (computed tomography) colonography and colonoscopy.

A CT scan is a non-invasive procedure that takes significantly less time compared to a colonoscopy, typically lasting around 25-30 minutes.

Before the scan, you will be required to take a laxative to ensure that your bowel is empty. However, sedation is not necessary for this procedure.

Bowel cancer screening is an important health check for individuals aged 50 and above. It is designed to identify potential symptoms and warning signs of bowel cancer and related illnesses.

During a bowel screening, a CT Colonography is performed to examine the colon and other parts of the abdomen, including the kidneys. This procedure is significantly less invasive compared to a standard colonoscopy.

Early detection of bowel cancer significantly improves the chances of successful treatment. Therefore, it is essential to undergo screening if you experience symptoms such as blood in your stool.

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