NATIONAL BOWEL CANCER SCREENING PROGRAMME

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme

St. Mark's Hospital Endoscopy Unit became a nominated and chosen site for the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme through a rigorous accreditation programme. The accreditation process led to the NHS Bowel Screening Certificate administered by the Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

The Bowel Cancer Screening Centre is located within the Endoscopy Unit, Level 3, St. Mark's Hospital and currently covers the areas of Brent, Harrow & Hillingdon Primary Care Trusts.

The Bowel Cancer Screening Centre is in strong partnership and working closely with The London Programme Hub, Primary Care Trusts and Public Health Teams to promote the service and provide education and awareness locally.

Within the Centre we co-ordinate and aim to provide the highest level of holistic care to individuals identified through the Screening Programme.

Dr. Brian Saunders - Clinical Director and Consultant Screening Lead, Dr. Chris Fraser - Consultant Screening Colonoscopist, Karen McGuire - St. Mark's Service Manager (not present), Val Pryor - Diagnostic Service Manager, Jean Mannings - Endoscopy and Academic Administration Manager, Sarah Marshall - Specialist Bowel Screening Practitioner

All men and women aged 60-69 and registered with a GP will be automatically offered a Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) every two years. Those over 70 years and over will not be invited automatically but can call the free-phone number to request their free kit.

The symptoms of bowel cancer vary and not everybody will have symptoms. Research has shown that screening men and women for bowel cancer using FOB Test can reduce the mortality rate from bowel cancer by 16% in those invited for screening. The aim is to find diseases (in this case bowel cancer) at an early stage when there is a better chance of a person being successfully treated.

Those eligible for screening will receive a kit for use in the privacy of their home. The FOB test kit is then analysed to detect traces of blood that may not be visible to the naked eye. The FOB test is NOT a diagnostic test for cancer. Results will, however indicate whether further investigation is required.

Around 98% will receive a normal result and will be invited to participate again in a further 2 years time if still eligible. Around 2 in 100 people will receive an abnormal/ positive result. They will be referred to see the Specialist Bowel Screening Nurse to discuss and arrange a Colonoscopy if appropriate.

After having a Positive/Abnormal FOB Test and after a colonoscopy:

Approx 6 in 10 people will have a normal result
Approx 3 in 10 people will be found to have a polyp
Approx 1 in 10 people will have cancer detected

A free-phone helpline 0800 707 60 60 provides additional support to those taking up the offer of Bowel Cancer Screening.

Sarah Tomlinson, Specialist Bowel Screening Practitioner
0208 869 3543
Endoscopy Reception: 0208 235 4130
These information leaflets are available in a variety of languages:

NHS Bowel Screening: The Facts
NHS Bowel Screening: Colonoscopy Investigation