Doing the Screening Test
How does the test work?
At home, the user collects two samples of toilet bowl water that are stored and protected on the patented Test Card. The sample is then simply posted through the mail (postage paid envelope provided) to the lab for processing. In the lab, the Test Card is investigated using a sophisticated ‘immunoassay’ to look for the presence of human blood in the sample. If the test is ‘positive’ this means that blood was detected and your doctor may request that you undergo further medical testing to look for the source of the bleeding. Often, this further testing involves having a colonoscopy to inspect the inside lining of your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
About the screening test
We use a test called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT). This test can detect tiny traces of blood present in a small sample of your bowel motion (poo) – which may be an early warning sign that something is wrong with your bowel. You do the test yourself in your own home.
Who should do the test?
Most people aged 35 to 74 years can do the bowel screening test. This includes people who are at increased risk of bowel cancer. However, bowel screening is not right for everyone. You should not take part if you:
- have had a recent colonoscopy
- are on a bowel polyp or bowel cancer surveillance programme
- have had, or are currently being treated for, bowel cancer
- have had your large bowel removed
- have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease that is currently active
- are seeing your doctor about bowel problems.
- If you have symptoms of bowel cancer (bleeding in your bowel motion or a change to your bowel habits that continues for several weeks), talk to your doctor.