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Bowel cancer screening is an essential part of any high-level health screening. Bowel cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in both males and females in the UK. Like most cancer it becomes more common with age, especially after 45. But sadly we are now seeing an increase in ‘early onset’ colorectal cancer, under 50 years of age. Cases under 50 are predicted to double in the next 10 years.

Using genetic testing to find people at increased inherited risk can help us diagnose more cancers early, when they are easier to treat. We can also prevent many cancers altogether.

✅ Bowel Cancer Screening For Everyone

Planning your bowel cancer screening is important. Early onset colorectal cancer is rising and we would recommend everyone consider bowel cancer screening from 45 years of age.

People who have an inherited risk for bowel cancer may be eligible for extra screening from 25 years of age. This is why it is so important we find more of these patients so they don’t miss out on these life-saving cancer checks. Read more about testing for inherited risk ⬇️ here.

At-Home Stool Testing With Coyne Medical

We recommend everyone from 40 years of age upwards consider bowel cancer screening using a test called FIT (faecal immunochemical test).

The test looks for microscopic amounts of blood in the stool, not visible to the naked eye. This blood can indicate a cancer. It is a ‘screening test’ so this means it can no diagnose a cancer. People who receive a positive FIT result are usually recommended to have a colonoscopy test. This is when a thin tube with a camera is used to look inside the bowel.

  • Early onset bowel cancer is increasing and testing can help us diagnose people earlier.
  • FIT kits are quick and easy to use at home and can then be returned securely to the laboratory.
  • Our experienced GPs will follow-up abnormal results to make sure you are looked after every step.
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NHS versus Coyne Medical Home Testing - Important Differences

Detect more cases

  • The NHS FIT reports any reading above 120 micrograms/g.
    • This is a high level.
  • At Coyne Medical we report any FIT level above 4 micrograms/g.
    • This much lower level means we will find more cancers.

Find Cancer In Younger Patients

  • We can offer screening routinely from 45 years of age for people without any symptoms without a GP consultation.
    • This means we can find cancer earlier in people not yet eligible for NHS testing.
  • If you have symptoms then we can offer testing for adults of all ages with a GP consultation.

Testing More Often

  • We offer testing every year for people without symptoms.
  • This proven approach gives the maximum benefit for detecting colon cancer earlier. In studies of tens of thousands of patients this reduced the risk of dying from colorectal cancer by 33% over a 30 year period.

Downsides of Testing

  • Not everyone with a raised result will have bowel cancer. This is common to all ‘screening’ tests, we know many people having extra checks won’t be found to have cancer. This is the price of detecting cancer early.