Getting checked for bowel cancer

If you’re worried about a change to your body that’s unusual and isn’t going away, contact your GP practice for an appointment. Your doctor or nurse might ask about:

• Medical history: they may ask about your medical history to try and understand what may be causing the symptoms. They may also ask about your last bowel screening result.
• Family history: they may ask about whether you have a family history of bowel cancer.

Once they know more about your individual situation, they will decide on the next steps.

Many other conditions share bowel cancer symptoms, so it’s probably nothing to worry about. But you should still contact your GP. Whatever it is, the earlier it’s found, the easier it will be to treat. And if it’s nothing serious, it will take a weight off your mind.

The doctor will begin by examining your tummy (abdomen) and your bottom with their hands. This helps them to find if there are any lumps. Some people can find this part a little embarrassing, but it only takes a minute. Remember, doctors do hundreds of these tests every year.

Your GP may also do some blood tests and arrange an “at home” bowel test called a FIT test to check for blood in your poo, similar to the bowel screening test.

If the doctor suspects you have bowel cancer, they will refer you to a local hospital for more tests. These tests can help to build a better picture of your symptoms and can rule out (or confirm) the presence of cancer. If cancer is found, the doctor can decide on the best course of treatment.

If it is cancer, finding it early gives you more treatment options, and a better chance of treatment being successful and of living well after cancer.

If initial tests suggest you have bowel cancer, the doctor will want to do more tests to confirm. This may include a more detailed examination of your bowel using a ‘sigmoidoscope’.