To wonder why bowel screening starts at 50 in scotland

[Kaylasmum49]

Hi just wondering why bowel screening starts at 50 in Scotland but not until 60 in England. I just turned 50 so expect to receive my kit soon but was surprised to find out that it was started 10 years earlier here in Scotland.

Are we more at risk of bowel cancer here!?

[LunaLoveg00d]

I don't live in Glasgow, I don't smoke, I drink moderately, my diet could be better.

Living in Glasgow isn't a risk factor. There isn't anything particularly dangerous, or some environmental factor in the Glasgow area which makes you more likely to be ill.

The "Glasgow Effect" means that in Glasgow city there are a higher proportion of areas of social deprivation, poor diet, smokers, people who don't exercise etc etc etc. Cross the boundary into neighbouring areas like East Renfrewshire or East Dumbartonshire and the weather is just as cold and there is just as little sunshine, but people are much healthier.

[Kaylasmum49]

Luna, do you live in Scotland?

Tbh pointing out to me that I have a higher risk of bowel cancer because I live in Scotland really is stressing me out massively!

Thanks for that

[PurpleDaisies]

kayla you're not reading luna's post correctly-she's saying the opposite of what you think.

Living in Scotland is not a risk factor. The risk factors are bad diet, smoking, etc. There are some areas of Scotland where many people have those risk factors because of deprivation.

[missyB1]

Kayla you asked if anyone had a positive FOB test and everything turned out OK? Yes the majority of people who have a positive FOB!
A positive FOB can have all sorts of innocent explanations.

[Kaylasmum49]

Hi, sorry but my anxiety has a firm hold on me just now so rational thinking is quite difficult.

I have looked at bowel cancer stats in Scotland and in my age group of 50-54 there are about 68 women diagnosed with bowel cancer per year.

As I said before I don't smoke and I drink moderately but I am overweight, which worries me, although I carry a lot of my weight in my hips and legs due to lipodema which is an abnormal fat disorder.

[missyB1]

Kayla have you tried mediation or mindfulness for your anxiety? I'm recovering from breast cancer at the moment and I'm doing a mindfulness course to help with the psychological effects. I have also joined a couple of excercise classes as I'm sure that helps too.

[jumpingllama]

I know you've mentioned you have previously gone through CBT but have you been back to your GP to say that you are currently struggling with your HA again?

You know the problem isn't anything to do with bowel cancer, the problem at the moment is getting your HA back under control. There is nothing wrong with asking for help with this so it doesn't take over your life.

Have you been in contact with Anxiety UK before?

[Kaylasmum49]

I haven't tried mindfulness but would like to try it. I think I will have to go to my gp as I can't go on like this.

Missy I hope your recovery is going well.

[LunaLoveg00d]

Yes I live in Scotland - and live in Glasgow to boot!!

But being Scottish, or living in Glasgow is not a risk factor. LIFESTYLE factors such as poor diet, smoking and lack of exercise are risk factors, and for a whole host of reasons there are more people in Glasgow who eat crap, smoke and don't exercise.

You are completely misunderstanding the science. I think you need help with general anxiety and your understanding of risk.

[Kaylasmum49]

I agree that I need help with anxiety but I do understand about the risk factors in connection to cancer. I worry though that I'm overweight and probably don't get enough exercise so in my mind it's a foregone conclusion that I will get cancer. Sounds crazy I know but anxiety can do this to you.

[PurpleDaisies]

I worry though that I'm overweight and probably don't get enough exercise so in my mind it's a foregone conclusion that I will get cancer.

That's why you need to get back to the gp and get more help with the anxiety. All the rational posters, statistics and science won't make a difference to how you're feeling because the anxiety won't let them in. Unless you address the anxiety, there'll always be a reason why they're wrong and you're definitely ill.

[FannyFifer]

Low vitamin D levels can be linked to colorectal cancer.
As the latest recommendations are for everyone here to take a vit D supplement then may be a reason for testing younger..

[Kaylasmum49]

Can you buy vitamin d supplements or do they need to be on prescription?

[LineyReborn]

Try Asda.

[Kaylasmum49]

Thanks will do. I assume that recommendation is because of the lack of sunshine in Scotland?

[LineyReborn]

Apparently so.

Places like Tesco also sell vitamins at reasonably prices.