Bowel cancer screening

Need to know

• What happens during your initial consultation? icon plus

  Your consultant will ask about your symptoms and whether you have a family history of bowel cancer.

  Screening can include:

  • a physical examination of your tummy and the inside of your bottom by your consultant
  • the insertion of a very small camera up your bottom in order to view your colon on a monitor
  • taking a small sample from inside your colon for tests
  • the inspection of your bowel using a slighter longer camera than the one used for your colon
  • a scan of your bowel and rectum.

  In each of the tests you'll not be given an anaesthetic. They may feel uncomfortable, but they are not painful.

• How to prepare icon plus

  Your bowel will need to be empty before any screening tests are carried out.
  
  You may be asked to eat a special diet and take a laxative to make you go to the toilet before you visit your consultant.

• After your screening icon plus

  Screening should take no more than an hour to complete and you'll be able to go home afterwards. Your consultant will advise on the test results and advise of any next steps.