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Medtronic / Patient Information / Colorectal Cancer

Screening for bowel cancer.

It really is better to know.

Think about this: Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer and the second largest cause of cancer deaths.1

But the earlier it is diagnosed, the greater the likelihood that treatment will be successful.2

That’s why screening really matters. It can take a great weight off your mind.

It’s important to go for your screening

For the vast majority of people, screening is a simple way of being reassured that they have absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to bowel cancer.3 A screening can even pick up some problems that could be resolved before cancer starts.4,5

If you are offered a bowel cancer screening, be sure to attend. If you haven’t been invited to a screening, and you are over 50, ask your doctor to arrange one.

How does screening work?

If you’re aged 54 to 74, your doctor will automatically arrange for you to get a bowel cancer screening home screening kit (FIT kit) by post every 2 years.6

What is a FIT kit?

The Faecal Immunochemical Tests (FITs) kit is a simple test where you take a small sample of your poo at home and send back by post. This sample is then tested to see if it contains any blood, which comes from bleeding in your digestive tract.7

If you think you might be due your kit but haven’t received it, contact the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060 or talk to your doctor.

Learn more about the FIT kit

Over 98% of bowel cancer FOB tests are negative.3

But if yours does show any issues, the medical team can arrange a colonoscopy as soon as possible. This will confirm if there really is a problem.

So what is bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) affects the large bowel. As it progresses, it can spread into the nearby liver and lymph nodes as well as other organs, such as the lungs and brain.8

Bowel cancer mainly affects people over the age of 50, although it can also occur in other age groups.9

Early diagnosis means early treatment

Regular screening is the best way of catching bowel cancer early. Likewise, if bowel cancer is detected, an early diagnosis means treatment is more likely to be successful.2

Did you know?

In some cases, problems can be treated before cancer even starts e.g. adenomas, which are a benign growths that can become cancerous.4,5

Should I be worried about a colonoscopy?

Absolutely not. A colonoscopy is an everyday procedure that gives the doctor a direct view of the surface of your colon and rectum.10

A colonoscopy is used as a follow-up to a FIT or FOB test, or even as the first type of screening.6,11

During a colonoscopy...

A small flexible tube, called a colonoscope, is inserted into your rectum. Being small makes the colonoscope easy for the doctor to move through the bowel to thoroughly check for any problems.12

If the doctor notices anything unusual, they can take samples for analysis.12

Some problems can be treated there and then, such as an adenoma.5,6 This is because the doctor can use the small tube of the colonoscope to insert any tiny instruments required to carry out necessary procedures.10

  • The earlier bowel cancer is caught, the more successful treatment is likely to be2
  • So you should be screened regularly, especially if you are over 506
  • Most initial screening tests are quick and painless6
  • If your test shows up a problem, further investigations and treatment can start quickly11
  • The vast majority of bowel cancer tests come back negative3

Don’t worry about what might or might not be – go to your screening or arrange one with your doctor

Here are some useful links for more information

More about screening

More about bowel cancer

More about colonoscopy

Help and support

 

Medtronic is not responsible for any content or information provided by third parties.

References:

1. Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(3):209-249. doi:10.3322/caac.21660.

2. Cardoso R, Guo F, Heisser T, et al. Overall and stage-specific survival of patients with screen-detected colorectal cancer in European countries: A population-based study in 9 countries. The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. 2022; 21: 100458 doi:10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100458

3. UK Government (2024). Bowel Cancer Screening Annual Report 2021 to 2022. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bowel-cancer-screeningnnualreport- 2021-to-2022/bowel-cancer-screening-annual-report-2021-to-2022. Accessed 21 January 2025.

4. Wisse P, de Klaver W, van Wifferen F, et al. The multitarget faecal immunochemical test for improving stool-based colorectal cancer screening programmes: a Dutch population-based, paired-design, intervention study. The Lancet Oncology. 2024;25(3):326-337. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(23)00651-4.

5. Zauber, AG. et al. Colonoscopic polypectomy and long-term prevention of colorectal-cancer deaths. N Engl J Med. 2012;366(8):687-696. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1100370.

6. National Health Service (2024). Causes of bowel cancer. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/. Accessed 21 January 2025.

7. Cancer Research UK (2024). How do I do a FIT test? Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/tests-and-scans/FIT. Accessed 21 January 2025.

8. Cervantes, A. et al. Metastatic colorectal cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2023;34(1):10-32.

9. Donald, MD. et al. Is It Time to Lower the Recommended Screening Age for Colorectal Cancer? J Am Coll Surg. 2011;213(3):352-361.

10. National Cancer Research Institute (2024). NCI Dictionary of Cancer. Available at https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/colonoscopy. Accessed 21 January 2025.

11. Argilés, G. et al. Localised colon cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2020;31(10)1291-1305.

12. National Health Service (2024). Causes of bowel cancer. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/colonoscopy/what-happens-on-the-day/. Accessed 21 January 2025.

Information contained herein is not medical advice and should not be used as an alternative to speaking with your doctor. Discuss indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, adverse events and any further information with your health care professional. Please note that the intended use of a product may vary depending on geographical approvals. Medtronic products placed on European markets bear the CE mark and the UKCA mark (if applicable).