Bowel Cancer Screening & family history

[hildaogden99]

I'm 56 and my dad died of bowel cancer at 60 within a year of diagnosis. His aunt died of it too but she was over 70. There was also another uncle on that side of the family who died years ago in his 50s they think from bc too but not 100% on that one. I did ask my GP about 10 years ago if I'd be eligible for screening and was told my history wasn't strong enough. As I was worried, I paid privately for a colonoscopy - all clear, no polyps or anything.

Now I'm approaching the same age as my dad was, I'm wondering again. I know screening starts at 60, but was sure I heard they're trying to bring it forward. Any ideas? I'm in England btw.

Thanks.

I was sent one just after turning 56. The age is being lowered to 56/58 yo to catch up. Ask your gp if nothing arrives.

As someone whos only in her mid 30s and just had polyps removed and awaiting biopsy results.. & got bowel cancer in the family.. i say push for it

You can buy a poop test from lets get checked

Then your result can go on nhs record

Bowel cancer in family, fatigued, blood in poop gets you a colonoscopy

Colon cancer can be such a silent killer

I wish more people wouldbuty the poo test etc

Mum died age 61 of bowel cancer , DSis and I were offered colonoscopy, after asking the GP ( I was age 41 ) and I had one every couple of years as polyps were found
from age 60 we had the bowel check thing through the post , I’d ask the GP again and request for testing

@hildaogden99@hildaogden99 see what screening you are now eligible for, if however you have symptoms that would be checked separately.

@worldwidetravel2017 if there is a family history of bowel cancer perhaps see about getting tested for Lynch Syndrome, Bowel Cancer UK raise awareness of this, there might be a template or info to see if you think it applies in your case.
DH has Lynch Syndrome and has had bowel cancer already.

When DH spoke to his GP, he was told that a family history was only a strong indication of a cancer risk if those involved developed bowel cancer before they were 50, as that makes it likely to be a heritable variation. He has the same spread of relatives as OP who've died of bowel cancer, except all of them have developed it before 50.

DH has had a colonoscopy, which came back clear. He's been offered one every 5 years.

Your Dad having had it is a strong enough link I am pretty sure. I think that was your GP being crap (sorry) - I’d invent some slightly worrying symptoms and insist.

I have a family history and have never heard the under 50 thing at all.

Spoke to Macmillan the other day , they asked me how old my grandad was when he had it

( it matters how young immediate family had it )

I asked my doctor about this with some family history. She said it was best just to do the FIT test and that was the best measure that indicated a need to get checked further.

I have heard that the age at which family members develop bowel cancer matters.
In DH's family several developed bowel cancer under age 50.

@whoateallthecookies DH and his siblings all have colonoscopies at least every 2 years (proven genetic link). It is perhaps worth your DH getting tested to prove a genetic link - if there is I would not be happy with 5 year screening intervals. DH would have been dead with that and another family member sadly died when screening was delayed too long to diagnose a tumour early. Obviously it could have been an aggressive tumour so we don't know if it could have made a difference.
His sisters also have increased risk of certain cancers, of the uterus and endometrium.

Thank you.
Im still awaiting biopsy results
Ive been put in 4 an ovarian cancer blood test on my request to hopefully rare it out - - someone else i read about had it etc

My dad had bowel cancer 27 years ago when he was in his early 50s, thankfully he survived after a colostomy and is a healthy nearly 80 year old now. I'm late 40s, have recently done a poo test after visiting GP to ask about screening and will keep pushing for screening as I get older, and will pay privately if I need to.
DH's dad sadly died of bowel cancer when he was 53, this was 24 years ago, and DS, early 50s, paid for private colonoscopy as wasn't offered it on the NHS unfortunately.
We'll keep pushing for screening and if no luck, will go private which we're lucky to be able to afford, bit for us it's a priority due to both DFs having had bowel cancer, tho no idea if there's a genetic risk.
We also eat as healthily as possible, don't drink excessively, exercise a lot and have never smoked so we're trying to do what we can to minimise risk from lifestyle.

As one of my parents died of it in their 40s, my GP has told me that I'll have colonoscopy at 50, another one at 55, in tandem with the yearly poo test from 50 onwards. I'm in Scotland, so possibly a different protocol.

Ask them to test 4 lynch syndrome - bowel cancer uk promote that - can see if genetic links

For Lynch Syndrome you need 3 close relatives to have been diagnosed over 2 different generations and 1 being under 50.

Fellow lynchy here!

@worldwidetravel2017 hope the biopsy results and the ovarian cancer test come back clear.

For those with family history links to bowel cancer I would say to get tested to see whether it's random or if there is a proven genetic link. If there is, that's what the screening is for.

@Ghostlyfeet if you don't mind me asking, what is the interval between your screening, and do have colonoscopy and endoscopy. We're moving to a different health trust area so hoping it's not difficult to get DH on the list for screening.
Hope you are doing well.

My dad died of bowel cancer when he was 53. Hadnt been diagnosed until after death. His mum died of bowel cancer in her early 60s and her sister died of it in her 50s/60s.
I spoke to my gp (Wales) and they referred me to the genetics people. They didn't test me but i filled in a form. They came back, said I'm higher risk and can have a colonoscapy every 5 years age 40 to 75.
Push for it.

@HitthefloorforTaintedLove thanks I'm doing fine. I have a colonoscopy every other year and I've recently had a hysterectomy/ ovumectomy to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer later.

@Ghostlyfeet glad to hear you're having regular colonoscopy screening.

Sorry you've had to go through such major prevantative surgery but hope that it gives you some peace of mind, sending very best wishes for your recovery.

You can buy the poo test / qfit test online for 44 gbp

As someone whos mid 30s - bowel cancer fam in history and recently had colonoscopy and polyps removed - id do a qfit test if i was you

Colon cancer can be silent
.and yeah.. polyps removal when young / when in 30s can really help

One of the polyps removed from my bowel was medically deemed as large

I class myself as very lucky that biopsies came back ok
They are keeping a close eye tho

Im not sure of your age
But if i was you id consider a qfit test / poo test..
Im feeling very lucky ( 4 now ) - mid 30s - had colonoscopy
Had polyps removed
One was large..
Biopsies came back ok
They are keeping a close eye

Its apparently rare 4 someone of my age to have as many polyp s as i did
And one was medically deemed as large

Polyps removed in 30s - can help etc

Im feeling v grateful and lucky

I would see a different GP and try cause i definitely think a father with it is a strong enough link. Otherwise pay privately every few years.

I was diagnosed stage 3 at 32 yrs. just had my three years clear. I have regular colonoscopies and if they ever stop on the NHS I will pay to go private. More polyps have been found in both ones I’ve had since treatment luckily had not turned into anything yet but I would just be wondering all the time if I wasn’t getting checked.

OP here! Funnily enough I received a letter yesterday saying I will receive my kit in two weeks, so it seems the system is working!