WHY IS BOWEL HEALTH IMPORTANT?
Most cases of bowel cancer are the result of benign tumours also known as polyps which grow inside the colon. These polyps are undetected for several years in the colon whilst still benign and so are able to progress to the cancerous stage.
If this can be caught early, the polyp can be removed thus stopping the progress of bowel cancer.
WHAT IS THE SELFCHECK BOWEL HEALTH TEST?
The SELFCheck Bowel Health Test requires a sample of your stool using the equipment provided.
This test can detect abnormal blood in stools and can facilitate early medical intervention should it be needed.
The SELFCheck Bowel Health Test uses the faecal immunochemical principle (FIT), and so no change in diet or fasting is needed before performing the test.
HOW AND WHEN DO I PERFORM THIS TEST?
Please read instructions enclosed within the product on how to perform the test and get results. Results are normally available within 10 minutes of performing the test.
This test can be performed at any time of the day during a bowel movement. No dietary restrictions are needed before conducting the test.
For women: do not perform this test within 3 days of your period.
WOULD I NEED TO TEST ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION?
Colon polyps can bleed infrequently and so there is a chance a single test could give a negative result. Therefore, using 2 or more tests on different occasions can provide a better chance of detecting blood in the sample.
IS IT EASY TO READ THE RESULT?
It is very simple to read the result:
- TWO lines in the result window is a positive
- ONE line is a negative
WHAT IS THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION FOLLOWING A POSITIVE RESULT?
Please make an appointment to see your GP and let them know you had a positive result with a FIT test kit. No medical decisions should be made without consulting a doctor.
