Bowel cancer home testing kits could save more lives
NEW bowel cancer testing methods in Guernsey will allow 10 times more people to be screened for the disease, which nine out of 10 people can survive if it is found and treated early.
From January, the non-invasive faecal immuno-chemical test, which can be carried out at home, will become the primary form of bowel cancer screening in Guernsey.
The technology required to carry out FIT screening has been made possible thanks to the generosity of islanders and the work of Bowel Cancer Guernsey, which purchased the £20,000 testing system for the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
Chairwoman of Bowel Cancer Guernsey Anne Brouard said it was exciting to bring the new form of testing to the island.
‘We hope that FIT will encourage more people to partake in getting screened due to its non-invasive nature and the fact that you can complete it in the privacy of your own home,’ she said.
‘We appreciate that talking about your bowel habits and any symptoms can be embarrassing; however, it really can save your life, so please speak to your GP as soon as you have any concerns.’
FIT is a type of faecal occult blood test, which uses antibodies to detect and quantify the amount of human blood present in a stool sample.
The programme is for those who have not presented with symptoms but have reached 60 and will continue to receive kits through to age 70.
There is no need for islanders to sign up to be on a register because this is automated.
FIT kits will be sent out to eligible islanders’ home addresses every two years as opposed to the previous flexi-sig system where patients received a single screening invitation.
Consultant gastroenterologist at the PEH Dr Hamish Duncan said the new form of testing would allow them to screen many more people than the previous invasive method.
‘We are very grateful to Bowel Cancer Guernsey for their generous donation and support in helping us set up the new FIT programme in Guernsey,’ he said.
‘This form of testing will allow us to screen 4,500-5,000 patients a year [aged 60 and over], compared to the 450-500 that we could with flexi-sig.
‘Quite simply, we anticipate catching more people with the disease, hopefully many at an earlier stage, by using FIT.
‘We cannot stress enough how important it is that people complete the test once they receive it in the post, it really could save their life.’
While screening is offered to the eligible population who have no symptoms, it may also be given to symptomatic patients by their GP regardless of their age.
