One person’s journey through bowel screening · 2 South of Tyne Bowel Cancer Screening Centre One person’s journey through bowel screening This booklet is designed to help you

One person’s journey throughbowel screening

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation TrustSouth Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust

City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

South of Tyne Bowel Cancer Screening Centre One person’s journey through bowel screening2

This booklet is designed to helpyou understand bowel cancerscreening. It shows one personsjourney.

The South of Tyne Bowel Cancer ScreeningProgramme invites men and women aged 60 -74,who are registered with a GP, from Gateshead, SouthTyneside and Sunderland for bowel screening everytwo years.

Bowel cancer screening is a process that is used todetect polyps (fleshy growths on the inside of thebowel wall) and bowel cancer, hopefully at an earlystage. If changes are found at an early stage there isan excellent chance of full recovery.

People over the age of 75 are able to opt into theprogramme by phoning 0800 707 6060.

South of Tyne Bowel Cancer Screening Centre One person’s journey through bowel screening 3

Meet Fred

Fred is one of the many peopleinvited every two years forfree bowel cancer screening.


Step 1

Bowel cancer screening hometest kit

Everyone 60 – 74 who is registered with a GP willreceive the free home test kit to complete every twoyears. If you are over 75 you can request a kit byphoning 0800 707 6060.

The home test kit identifies blood in faeces that can’tbe seen with the naked eye. This can be an earlysign of bowel cancer.

1


The invitationto take part

Fred receives his bowel screeninginvitation letter soon after his 60thbirthday. The letter tells Fred he will besent a home test kit the following week.

The home test kit identifies blood infaeces that can’t be seen with the nakedeye. This can be an early sign of cancer.

If Fred has any questions he can call thefree helpline 0800 707 6060


The bowel cancerscreening home test kit

The following week Fredreceives his home test kit.With the kit Fred gets aninstruction leaflet, cardboardsticks and a return envelope.

If Fred has any questions hecan call the free helpline 0800707 6060

Fred follows the instructionscompleting the home test kitover a number of days. Oncecomplete the kit is returned inthe envelope provided.


Results from the test kitexplainedIt can take up to two weeks to receive your results, although this isoften much quicker. Fred receives his results within three days.

There are three possible results; normal, unclear or abnormal:

Normal resultNo further tests needed. Participant invited to take part in screening intwo years.

UnclearResult is unclear, participant is sent a repeat home test kit.

AbnormalParticipant is offered an appointment to discuss further tests.

Fred receives his results letter. It tells Fred he has an abnormal result.


Step 2

Assessment clinic

Only 2% of people receive an abnormal result fromtheir home test kit. These people are invited to theassessment clinic where they will be assessed tosee if they are fit for a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy is a camera used to look inside thelarge bowel, it is used to find cancers and polyps(polyps are fleshy growths inside the bowel). If polypsare left over time they could develop into a cancer.

2


Invitation to theassessment clinic

Fred gets his letter telling him of an abnormal testresult. He is one of the 2% of people who have anabnormal result.

He is invited to an assessment clinic. At the clinic Fredwill meet one of the bowel screening practitionersand discuss possible further tests.


4

1

5

2

3

A19

A1058

A19

A1(M)

A194(M)

A690

A693

A1

A692

A167

A1231

A1018

A1

A1

Sunderland

SouthShields

Blaydon Gateshead

Washington

JarrowNewcastleUpon Tyne

DoxfordPark

Birtley

Low Fell Springwell

Team ValleyTrading Estate

Sunnyside

Ouston

Stanley

landsill

North Lodge

Seaburn

Marsden

BoldonColliery

Heburn

Felling

Sheriff HillWhickham

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Bowel Screening Unit, Sheriff Hill,Gateshead, NE9 6SX

The QE Metro RiversideUnit 6, Delta Bank Road,Metro Riverside Park, Gateshead, NE11 9DJ

South Tyneside DistrictHospitalHarton Lane, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE34 0PL

Sunderland Royal HospitalKayll Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR4 7TP

Monkwearmouth HospitalNewcastle Road, Sunderland, SR5 1NB

41

52

3

Assessment clinic venues

For further information on any of the venues please contact us on:

Assessment clinics are offered at a number of venuesthroughout the area.


Arrival at assessment clinic

Fred arrives at his assessment clinic. He isgreeted by one of the reception staff andasked to have a seat in the waiting area.


Assessment clinic

The bowel screening practitioner collects Fred from thewaiting area, they go to the clinic.

The practitioner explains Fred’s test kit results andassesses his fitness for a colonoscopy.

Fred is able to ask any questions he may have.

Fred is fit for a colonoscopy. He is offered anappointment within 14 days. Fred is given his bowelpreparation, this is a laxative that is taken the daybefore the colonoscopy to clean the bowel.


Step 3

Colonoscopy investigation

The majority of people are assessed suitable for acolonoscopy and move forward to step three.

Anyone not suitable for a colonoscopy will discussalternative assessments with the bowel screeningpractitioner at the assessment clinic.

3


Preparing for colonoscopy

The day before the colonoscopy, Fredfollows the instruction given to him inclinic and takes his bowel preparation athome. This will help clean his bowel.


Arrival for thecolonoscopy

Fred arrives at the Endoscopy Unit, hisdetails are checked by reception andhe is shown to the waiting area.


Preparing forcolonoscopy

Fred is collected by a nurse. He is taken to a roomwhere his details and blood pressure are checked.Fred then changes into a gown.


Preparing forcolonoscopy

The specialist practitionercollects Fred, they discuss theprocedure, Fred can ask anyquestions. Once Fred is happyhe completes the consentform.

The practitioner then takesFred to the procedure room;he is introduced to theendoscopy nurses andconsultant. The consultantoffers Fred a sedative to helphim relax.


The colonoscopy test

Fred lies on his left side. Once ready the consultantwill insert the scope into Fred’s bottom. Theconsultant can then see, via a screen, the inside of thebowel. During the test the consultant asks Fred tochange position. The consultant can remove tissuesamples and polyps for testing.

Some people find a colonoscopy uncomfortable. It canfeel like trapped wind.

The test can take up to 45 minutes.


After the colonoscopy

After the colonoscopy Fred goes to the recovery area,here the nurse checks Fred is comfortable.

Once Fred is ready to leave the specialist practitionerexplains what was found during the colonoscopy. Fredhad tissue samples removed for testing. His final resultswill be ready within seven days.


Follow upphone call

The following day thespecialist practitioner callsFred to check how he isfeeling. The practitioner offersFred an appointment toreceive and discuss his results.


Results clinic

The practitioner meets Fred andtakes him to the clinic room.

Fred is informed of his results, hehad a low risk polyp removed.

Fred needs no further treatment.Fred will be invited to take part inscreening again in two years usingthe home test kit.


Results explainedThere are a number of possible results from the colonoscopy, theseare:

Normal resultNo polyps or bowel cancer were detected. Bowel screening is offeredagain in two years time using the home test kit. Results are givenfollowing the colonoscopy, during the follow up phone call and inwriting.

Polyps removedIf tissue samples are taken, you are invited to a results clinic to discussresults and any follow up. Polyps could either be low, intermediate orhigh risk.

Low risk – invited again in two years to complete the home test kit.

Intermediate risk – Surveillance check up colonoscopy in 3 yearstime.

High risk – Surveillance check up colonoscopy in 1 year.

Cancer foundIf a cancer is found you will be told at the results clinic. You will beintroduced to the colorectal nurse specialist who will co-ordinate,support and advise you during treatment.


Being bowel aware

Being bowel aware means knowing what isnormal for you, if you have any bowelsymptoms you should see your GP.

• Persistent change in bowel habit, especiallygoing to the toilet more often or diarrhoeafor four to six weeks

• Bleeding from the bottom• Abdominal pain especially if severe• A lump in you abdomen

If you have one or more of these symptomsfor 4 – 6 weeks you should visit you GP.

Publ

icat

ion

date

: Jan

uary

201

2

If you have any questions please contact

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead NE9 6SX

Documents

One person’s journey through bowel screening · 2 South of Tyne Bowel Cancer Screening Centre One person’s journey through bowel screening This booklet is designed to help you