Bowel Screening
Advice Articles

Cancer Screening: What You Need to Know
27/11/2024

Bowel Cancer - lets discuss
16/10/2019
LivingCare offers patients bowel screening in Sheffield and Leeds to detect and diagnose the signs of conditions like bowel cancer and polyps. You will be seen at one of our a state-of-the-art facilities, where our gastroenterology consultants can advise you on the most appropriate and effective screening for your needs.
Bowel screening tests for any signs of conditions such as bowel cancer, and can often detect these signs before any symptoms arise. As the third leading cause of cancer in the UK, bowel cancer is common, but treatments tend to be more effective when applied at an earlier stage. Specialised bowel screening can help. You can improve your outcome by identifying the subtle signs, including any pre-cancerous polyps.
At LivingCare, we offer several kinds of bowel screening in Leeds and Sheffield, with different levels of complexity.
Many symptoms suggest a problem which needs bowel screening. Perhaps you've noticed blood in your poo, narrower stools than usual, or even diarrhoea or constipation that lasts over two weeks. Other warning signs include more urgent and frequent trips to the toilet, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowels, and bloating.
Additionally, if you have a family history of bowel cancer or are over 55, bowel screening is recommended even if no symptoms are present.
The Quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Test (qFIT) looks for traces of blood in your poo that can’t be seen by eye. The presence of blood could be an early sign of bowel cancer, but other conditions and large polyps may also cause it.
A positive qFIT test result means there is blood in your stool. This result doesn't confirm that you have bowel cancer, but a high result does indicate that further investigations might be needed.
Your result is given as a number, showing how much blood (specifically, haemoglobin — a protein found in red blood cells) was found per gram of stool.
Sigmoidoscopy allows our specialists to diagnose and monitor conditions affecting the rectum and the lower part of the bowel. This procedure only looks at the lower portion of the colon and is a less invasive alternative to colonoscopy.
If your qFIT test is positive, your Consultant Gastroenterologist may recommend further tests, such as a colonoscopy, to look more closely at your bowel and find the cause of the bleeding. A colonoscopy is the best test for detecting bowel cancer and removing pre-cancerous polyps.
This procedure helps identify the causes of symptoms such as persistent diarrhoea or changes in bowel habits, using a thin, flexible camera to examine the entire colon.
Chromocolonoscopy is a specialised type of colonoscopy that uses dyes or stains to enhance visualisation of the colon lining. During this advanced procedure, our consultants spray special dyes onto the colon's mucosal surface to highlight subtle abnormalities that might be difficult to detect during a standard colonoscopy.
For qFIT Tests:
For Sigmoidoscopy, Colonoscopy and Chromocolonoscopy Procedures:
While bowel screening procedures are generally safe, it's essential to understand potential risks. For qFIT tests, there are no physical risks. For colonoscopy and chromocolonoscopy, possible complications include minor bleeding from biopsy areas, mild discomfort or bloating, and very rarely, bowel perforation (occurring in less than 1 in 1,000 cases).
Our specialists carefully assess each patient's medical history before recommending procedures and implement stringent safety protocols throughout. The risk of complications must be balanced against the significant benefit of early detection, as finding bowel cancer at an early stage substantially improves treatment outcomes and survival rates.
Recovery varies depending on the screening method used. After a qFIT test, no recovery is necessary as it's a non-invasive procedure. Following colonoscopy or chromocolonoscopy, most patients can return to normal activities within 24 hours. You may experience mild bloating or gas discomfort, which typically resolves quickly.
We recommend resting the whole day after your procedure, staying hydrated, and gradually returning to your regular diet. Small amounts of blood might be in your first bowel movement, particularly after polyp removal. Your LivingCare consultant will provide personalised aftercare instructions and follow-up recommendations based on your screening results, ensuring support throughout your recovery.
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LivingCare offers comprehensive bowel screening services at both our Leeds (Thorpe Park Clinic) and Sheffield (Canon Medical Arena) locations. Both have state-of-the-art technology and are staffed by experienced Consultant Gastroenterologists. For qFIT tests, we can send the kit directly to your home address, making screening even more convenient.
No, you cannot drive yourself home after a colonoscopy or chromocolonoscopy when sedation is used. You'll need to arrange for someone to drive you home afterwards.
After a qFIT test, you can continue normal activities, including work, without interruption. For colonoscopy or chromocolonoscopy procedures, most patients can return to work the day after the procedure, although taking 2-3 days off is advisable if you have a strenuous job.
For qFIT tests, results are typically available within 7-10 days, and you'll receive a call from a Consultant Gastroenterologist regardless of whether your result is positive or negative. For colonoscopy procedures, your consultant will usually discuss initial findings straight away. If biopsies were taken, these results typically take 7-14 days, after which a follow-up consultation will be arranged to discuss the findings and any next steps.
We're always on hand, so get in touch and we'll get back to you straight away.
Speak to our teamYou can receive this treatment at any one of the locations below.
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Call us on Leeds 0113 2494655 or Sheffield 0114 7005811 or use our online booking form to send your enquiry. Let us know your preferred appointment type, either virtual or face to face, and we will work to find a time that suits you.
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If you filled out our online booking form, one of our team will contact you within 2 hours with available appointment options. Once your appointment is booked, you will receive an email confirmation with all the details you need.
Attend Your Appointment
Attend your appointment at your chosen time, either virtually or in person, with one of our highly qualified consultants. If your appointment requires a written report, this will be prepared and sent to you within 48 hours.
Aftercare and Follow-Up
If you need any further tests, treatment or follow-up, we will help arrange these for you. If you require a copy of your report or images, please let us know and we will send these promptly.
You can receive this treatment from one of the consultants listed below.
Explore the various options available for this treatment.
With our self-pay service, there are no waiting lists - consultations are offered within 24 hours, with treatment within a week. All costs, including tests or scans, are quoted upfront with no obligation to proceed. Visit our Prices page for full details.
If using medical insurance, contact your provider to confirm coverage for all treatment stages before your first appointment. You’ll need a referral letter from your GP for a private procedure at The LivingCare Group. Once you have it, either you or your GP can book your first appointment with us.
27/11/2024
16/10/2019