Bowel screening what happens next
This leaflet tells you about what will happen if you are called back for further tests following your bowel screening test.
British Sign Language (BSL)
Transcript
Bowel Screening What Happens Next -Understanding
your test results and what happens next.
Thank you for taking the time to complete
and return your bowel screening test kit. The
test result showed that blood was found in your poo.
Blood in your poo can be a sign of bowel
cancer or of other changes such as polyps (small growths).
Sometimes the blood can be there because
a polyp has bled, or from other conditions such as
haemorrhoids (piles), rather than bowel cancer.
You probably have some questions on what happens next.
We hope that this video will help
to answer any questions you may have.
What happens now?
We would like to offer you an appointment with one
of our screening nurses who will assess you and
discuss further investigations (colonoscopy).
This appointment may last for up to an hour.
Contact us to arrange an
appointment with a screening nurse.
You can email us at:
[email protected] or
call the freephone helpline on
0800 294 3370.
If you need a BSL interpreter
we can arrange this for you.
Your Assessment Appointment
The screening nurse will see you at your nearest
assessment centre or phone you at the time and
date arranged, to discuss investigating your
bowel (a colonoscopy). During the appointment,
the screening nurse will ask questions to see if
you are fit for a colonoscopy. This will
include questions about the following:
Your general health
Your medical conditions
(such as diabetes or asthma)
Operations you may have had
Medications that you currently take
The screening nurse will also
discuss the following with you:
What a colonoscopy is and
why you are being offered one
The risks and benefits of having a colonoscopy
Whether you have received
enough information from us to help you
reach a decision on having a colonoscopy
How to take the laxatives
before you have the colonoscopy
What you can and cannot eat before,
during and after taking the laxatives
Whether you want sedation or pain
relief (or both) during the colonoscopy
The types of sedation and pain relief available
The effect of sedation
and the do’s and don’ts for
your care after the colonoscopy
You will be able to discuss any
concerns or questions you may have.
What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a way of looking at
the lining of your large bowel (colon)
where a flexible tube with a small light
and a camera at one end (colonoscope) is
put into your bottom to see whether
there is any disease present.
As the colonoscope moves through your bowel,
the camera is used to take pictures and videos
for the colonoscopist to check whether you
have any bowel disease or inflammation.
During the investigation the
colonoscopist may be able to remove polyps
or may need to take some small samples from the
lining of your bowel to check in the laboratory.
What is a polyp?
A polyp is a small growth on the lining of the
bowel that may be seen during the colonoscopy.
Polyps are usually removed as they may grow
and cause problems later. This is called a
polypectomy. Sometimes polyps develop into cancer.
Preparing for the colonoscopy
Eating and drinking
If you have a colonoscopy we
need to see your bowel clearly.
We will send you a laxative to empty your
bowel. The laxative will give you diarrhoea,
so you will need to stay close to a toilet
once you start taking it. It is normal
to have some wind and cramps in your
tummy while taking the laxative.
Your screening nurse will discuss with you
what you can and cannot eat before, during
and after taking the laxatives. We will send you
laxatives in the post along with instructions.
Please follow the instructions provided with
the laxatives. If you have any questions,
contact your screening nurse.
You can bring your own food
to eat after your colonoscopy if
you think you will feel hungry.
Medicines
You should take most routine medicines
as usual. There are some medications
that you may need to stop taking before
your colonoscopy, such as medication to
thin your blood. Please tell your screening
nurse if you are taking any medications.
Allergies
Tell your screening nurse
if you think you have a latex
allergy or any other allergies.
Remember
Contact us to arrange an
appointment with a screening nurse.
You can email us at:
[email protected] or call
the Freephone helpline on 0800 294 3370.
If you need a BSL interpreter
we can arrange this for you
Please read all the information
sent with this booklet.
How we use your details and information
Your details and information
are kept confidential.
To find out more about how
Bowel Screening Wales uses
your personal details, please visit our website.
More information
If you have any questions about bowel
screening, or would like information in:
Easy Read;
British Sign Language (BSL);
Audio;
large print; or
Welsh
Visit our website:
Bowel screening – Public Health Wales
or call the Freephone helpline on:
0800 294 3370
You can contact us in Welsh
or English. It will take us
the same amount of time to answer
you, whichever language you choose.