“It’s not every day an envelope posted through your front door could save your life”.
That is the message from Teessiders backing a regional campaign for people to not ignore a bowel cancer test sent to the homes of all people after they turn 50.
The home test kit collects a small sample of poo which is posted back to a lab to be checked for tiny amounts of blood.
Blood can be a sign of polyps – growths in the bowel which can turn to cancer – or could already be a sign of cancer itself.
In a new campaign, backed by public health experts across the Tees Valley, a new appeal is made to people – “this test could save your life”.
In a special video supported by seven health organisations, a series of health professionals and those impacted by bowel cancer have shared their stories.
Bowel cancer screening test video
This test could save your life
Barbara Campbell – Bowel Cancer Survivor
This is a bowel cancer screening test.
It dropped through my door. It saved my life. I found out I had bowel cancer.
I’ve had it treated and I’m still here three years later, fighting fit.
Professor Matt Rutter – Tees bowel cancer screening centre
If we find bowel cancer at an early stage, it’s very easy to cure.
But really the ideal time to catch bowel cancer is before it develops symptoms.
So that’s why we have a screening programme.
Rishika Sinha – GP at Kingsway Medical Centre, Billingham
Bowel screening is for people who are absolutely fit and well, and it is a screening programme.
Every two years, we will get a bowel kit and we do it and send it off.
Kelley Williamson – specialist screening practitioner
This is the test kit that you will receive through the post when your bowel screening is due.
Inside this envelope, there is a little plastic tube and some instructions on how to collect a stool sample. You do that in the privacy of your own bathroom.
Once you’ve collected the stool sample, you post the sample back to our laboratory where it’s tested, and if there’s a trace of blood in it we’ll invite you to speak to one of our very supportive and friendly specialist screening practitioners.
Having a bowel cancer screening test reduces your risk of dying from bowel cancer by 25%
Everyone aged 50 to 74 years old is eligible for a test every two years.
Abdul – Patient, Tees bowel cancer screening centre
Also, I advised all my friends, to get it done, you know, when they send you the leaflet at home, you know, for the test, do it.
Don’t just ignore it. It’s for your own benefit, you know, it helps.
For more information about bowel cancer screening call our free helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
Barbara Campbell – Bowel Cancer Survivor
If this comes through your letterbox, please don’t ignore it. It could save your life. It saved mine.
Abdul – Patient, Tees bowel cancer screening centre
It’s not every day that an envelope can save your life.
Kelley Williamson – specialist screening practitioner
Remember, this test kit could save your life.
Rishika Sinha – GP at Kingsway Medical Centre, Billingham
If it’s picked up early, then it can actually help with the treatment early and prolonged life, really.
Professor Matt Rutter – Tees bowel cancer screening centre
This test could save your life. Please do complete the test when you receive it.
www.nth.nhs.uk/services/bowel-cancer-screening
In the video, professor Matt Rutter, head of the Tees bowel cancer screening centre at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, says: “If we find bowel cancer at an early stage, it is very easy to cure, which is why we have a screening programme.”
“Rishika Sinha, a GP at Kingsway Medical Centre in Billingham, says: “Bowel screening is for people who are absolutely fit and well. Every two years people get a kit and you do it and send it off.”
Test kit envelope – what to expect
Kelley Williamson, a specialist bowel screening practitioner, adds: “Inside the envelope you receive is a little plastic tube and some instructions on how to collect a stool sample. You do that in the privacy of your own bathroom.
“You then post it back to our laboratory where it’s tested and if there’s a trace of blood in it we’ll invite you to speak to one of our very supportive and friendly screening practitioners.”
As part of the national bowel cancer screening programme, every person aged 50 to 74 is sent a test every two years.
As part of the video, those who have completed the test and have had treatment for bowel cancer also shared their stories.
Barbara Campbell, a bowel cancer survivor from Teesside, says: “This test saved my life – I found out I had bowel cancer, I’ve had it treated and I am still here three years later fighting fit.”
Campaign supported across Tees Valley
Abdul Shakoor Rashid, from Linthorpe in Middlesbrough, was posted the test and completed it.
He says: “It’s not every day an envelope could save your life”.
“I have advised all of my friends to not ignore this leaflet and home test, it’s for your own benefit.”
The campaign is being jointly led by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, the Northern Cancer Alliance, South of Tyne and Wear Pathology Centre, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Middlesbrough Council, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Hartlepool Borough Council.
For more information about bowel cancer screening, visit the NHS information page or call the national helpline on 0800 707 60 60.