Keep it Peachy: The lowdown on bowel Cancer Screenings
Hey, let's chat about bowel cancer screenings! They're super important for your digestive health.
Why do it? Getting screened helps catch bowel cancer early, which means it's easier to treat and improves your chances of recovery.
Taking care of yourself means staying on track with screenings. Talk to your doctor about when and how often to get checked—it's all about staying healthy and taking control!
Signs that something is wrong:
A change in bowel habits
Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
Bright red or very dark blood in the stool
Stools that look narrower or thinner than normal
Discomfort in the abdomen, including frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, and cramps
Weight loss with no known explanation
Constant tiredness or fatigue
Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia, which is a low number of red blood cells
Anyone at any age who experiences the symptoms should visit a doctor to find out if they should have a colonoscopy.
The lowdown on the test
What’s the deal? A simple test that checks for hidden blood in your stool.
The process: Write your details on the tube, place a toilet liner, poop into it, use the stick to collect your sample, flush, store the tube in the zip-lock, and repeat twice before sending off your sample.
How often? Regularly! Your doc will let you know the best schedule for you.
Where to do it: If you are 45 years and over, you can request for a free kit to be mailed to you However, if you are under 45, you can discuss the matter with your doctor.
Before doing a kit
Thinking of doing your kit? You may have to hold it off if……….
.piles (haemorrhoids) that are bleeding. if this happens, see your doctor
blood in your urine or blood in the toilet If this happens, see your doctor
your menstrual period. Do the test 3 days after your period has fnished
had a recent colonoscopy
What happens if it comes back positive?
A positive result means blood was found in your stool, but it doesn't always indicate bowel cancer. There are many reasons why blood might appear in your poop, and most of them are not related to cancer. It's important to make an appointment with your doctor soon to discuss your results further.
Want to know more?
For more deets on how to do a bowel screening kit? Visit the National Bower Cancer Screening Program.
And there is all the info you could need on the topic on the Cancer Council website
