I've Passed My Poo Test!

FormerMember over 5 years ago

14 replies
126 subscribers
6160 views

Hi folks,

I was diagnosed in 2012, and having undergone treatment was formally given the all-clear 2 years ago. I was only 46 when I was diagnosed, so never had to do a poo test before. In Scotland, Bowel Screening starts at age 50 - normally on your 50th birthday, along with your birthday cards you receive the invitation to do your poo test! I know.. Happy 50th Birthday, here's your poo test!

When I turned 50 I was already under the care of the hospital so didn't see any point to doing it then, and then when I was 52, I was about to have the dreaded colonoscopy so declined that poo test. But this year, it was my turn again. I found it really easy, but I have a permanent stoma so of course if was going to be easy.

In the absence of a colonoscopy, I felt that this would give me some reassurance that everything was still ok. So posted my test back on Monday morning and on Friday afternoon the results came back. My heart sank as I thought that was too quick. But it was 2nd class post, so it wasn't urgent. What a feeling to read that everything was ok!

I think it's important to take this test whenever you're offered it. And I also think that the screening age needs to be reduced to 50 as a maximum. With survival rates so high if bowel cancer is caught early, then early screening can only be a good thing.

So for now, I'm happy to say... I've passed my poo test! Yayyy!

Linda :-)m

court over 5 years ago

Yippee.

It’s a lovely letter to get through the door . Your now in the 50 to 70 year old bracket so a wee test will be following . Exactly ten years to the week my mum did her first test . Yikes ! Took me about an hour to get over that .

Delighted for you and I am still dismayed ten years later that other areas are not getting it at 50 !!

And I have promised my mum I will do it . Actually tried to get her to take it instead . But she is refusing .

This is a surreal conversation but I am so pleased for you ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

Kareno62 over 5 years ago

Well done - I love reading a success story like this.

Anyway now there are greeting cards for all sorts of things do you think we’re missing a gap in the market here?............court are you any good at drawing?

No? Ok back to the day job then

Good to hear from you Linda

Take care

Karen s

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

court over 5 years ago in reply to Kareno62

Possibly A gap there !! .

I do make watercolour cards so you succeeded in making me laugh .

My test has moved out of the cupboard . One small step !

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

FormerMember over 5 years ago in reply to court

Court,

If you've got a test to do.... do it! I know there's nothing dignified in doing it, but trust me, it will be worth it! I know I'm 7 years post diagnosis, and given the all-clear, but it was an important test to take. My Gran and 2 uncles had bowel cancer, and all my other aunts and uncles and Mum were screened. Mum was fortunately given the all-clear, but soon after, I had the seed of doubt in my mind... what if it skipped a generation. So whilst Mum was clear, it was out of the blue for me. The day before the sigmoidoscopy I was planning on buying a new car, but on the day of the sigmoidoscopy my world turned upside down. Whilst I was stage 3, my younger sister insisted on a colonoscopy for her, and yes, she too had bowel cancer. Fortunately her cancer was caught very early indeed.

Anyway, take that test! No arguments... and don't ask you Mum to do it for you! Really!!!! Tsk tsk!!!!

Linda :-)

court over 5 years ago in reply to FormerMember

You are so right . I have promised my mum I will . There is no way she is letting me off with it . I will aim for this week .

I had not realised your sister was detected too . My sister has been fully checked as she had some bleeding but not me .

I have had it for over a week but I promise I will .

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

court over 5 years ago in reply to court

Completed!! You gave me the gentle nudge I needed . I got completely thrown as the letter came through ten years to week my mum got hers and I could not stop thinking about all she has endured . But then she is here to endure it .

Court xx

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

FormerMember over 5 years ago in reply to court

Hi Court, sorry I couldn't reply before now. I'm glad to hear that you've done the test. Whatever the results, it can only be good - either you get the all-clear, which would be great, or you get referred because they've picked something up - in which case, it would be early so better treatment, and a better outcome! Hopefully you'll hear back within the week. Now it's your turn to encourage someone to take the test... after all.... you've been there, done that!

Linda x

Marianne26 over 5 years ago

Very much hope all goes well with you! But in my experience, I am not convinced with 'Poo Tests.' Mine was 'normal' in Dec. 2018, as were my many blood tests. However - diagnosis in April 2019 showed Bowel Tumour.

court over 5 years ago in reply to Marianne26

Me too ! Phew .

Marianne26 I totally take on board your point though and notice the letter does address the need to stay vigilant as not all tumours bleed at the time of the test .

My mum has no symptoms so was fortune hers was bleeding at the screen . I have read up on the symptoms once again and will be careful .

Interestingly all my friends completed the test right away . Good for uptake numbers as apparently cervical cancer screening uptake in Scotland has started to decline !

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

Marianne26 over 5 years ago in reply to court

Cheers Court

I don't want to prick anyones' bubble; just want to point out that everyones journey/ symptoms leading up to diagnosis can be very different. My symptoms started in June 2018.....Just dull achy pain in left lower abdomen & looser stools. I had lots of blood tests....all were normal, as was my Poo test in Dec.2018.

It wasn't till I had a CT Colonography in April 2019, that a 'shadow' showed up...followed by a swift Colonoscopy....that confirmed that I had a Tumour on my descending colon.....which was removed in May this year. My Oncologist said I didn't need Chemo. on the basis of my Biopsies. My surgeon said 'Go away & live your life.' Obviously all very encouraging. Nevertheless, a frightening experience. x

However, in the past, when that Poo test package arrived, I ignored.Now, I would recommend that everyone takes it.

Best of