Bowel Screening

What is Bowel Screening? 

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. 

Types of Bowel Screening Available at LivingCare

At LivingCare, we offer several kinds of bowel screening in Leeds and Sheffield, with different levels of complexity. 

• qFIT: A simple home test kit involving a stool sample
• Sigmoidoscopy: Uses a thin camera to examine the lower colon
• Colonoscopy: A longer visual examination of the entire colon
• Chromocolonoscopy: A specialised technique using dye to help identify specific features in the colon

Why You Might Need Bowel Screening

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.

How Bowel Screening Works

qFIT Testing

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

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.

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

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.

What to Expect During Bowel Screening

For qFIT Tests:

• An easy-to-use, convenient test is delivered straight to your door
• Expect a fast turnaround from ordering tests to getting the results
• You’ll receive a call from a consultant gastroenterologist, regardless of whether the result is positive or negative, so that you can discuss any concerns, worries, or questions. 
• If needed, you’ll have a fast referral for a Colonoscopy done on-site at LivingCare by our very own Gastroenterology Clinicians.

For Sigmoidoscopy, Colonoscopy and Chromocolonoscopy Procedures:

• Before your procedure, you'll receive detailed instructions on bowel preparation, which will help clear the colon and give the camera a better view.
• During the treatment, you can opt for sedation to ensure comfort.
• The consultant will examine your colon thoroughly, taking biopsies or removing polyps if necessary.
• For chromocolonoscopy, the procedure is similar to a standard colonoscopy but includes the additional step of applying special dyes to enhance visualisation.

Risks and Complications of Bowel Screening

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.

How to Recover Following Bowel Screening

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.

References

NHS: Bowel Cancer Screening

NHS: Symptoms of Bowel Cancer

NHS: Gastroscopy

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust: Gastroscopy

Guts UK Charity