Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => Health & Fitness => Topic started by: Wowbagger on 11 August, 2014, 10:29:56 am

Title: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 August, 2014, 10:29:56 am
This morning I received my bowel cancer testing kit through the post.

It arrived too late for me to use it this morning.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 11 August, 2014, 11:55:10 am
It is worth doing, despite the yuk! factor.
Being a little younger, I was treated to a flexible sigmoidoscopy last year.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 11 August, 2014, 11:56:31 am
I had my third one last week.  Judging from our comparitve ages, and guessing that this is your first, I think that they must come every two years.

They're not the best fun first thing in the morning, are they?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: numbnuts on 11 August, 2014, 12:40:23 pm
I'm just glad there is someone there to look at my shit
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Kim on 11 August, 2014, 01:05:53 pm
I've looked at shit through a microscope.  It's a lot less exciting that you might expect.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 August, 2014, 09:50:35 pm
I have had a rather nice PM from a concerned forummer, whom I have assured that this is just a routine test that is sent to everyone who reaches 60.

I will probably give it a go in the morning. You will be relieved to hear that TT will remain WP.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Canardly on 11 August, 2014, 10:02:27 pm
I knew about the telegram I didnt know about the Poo sticks.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 11 August, 2014, 10:21:39 pm
There is very little publicity about Bowel Screening because Nice People don't Talk About Poo. Nobody else makes poo after all, do they?
So the NHS sends discreet little envelopes to all eligible subjects, some of whom get Shocked or Worried.
We're English and DON'T Talk About Poo.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 August, 2014, 10:47:43 pm
I'm going to read the instructions again carefully before I go to bed. Mrs. Wow has also had a kit but hasn't done anything about it yet. We will probably have group therapy in the morning.

I don't mind talking about poo. It might be from my non-English side, or possibly because I was in Germany last week.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: caerau on 11 August, 2014, 10:52:30 pm

We're English and DON'T Talk About Poo.


There seems to be plenty of it about on this forum these days.  I've not done a bowel cancer screen but I have had to provide a sample when I had food poisoning once.  Although a stool sample was a rather loose description at the time. Turned out to be campylobacter as I recall - that wasn't much fun either but a very effective way of losing 1 1/5 stone very quickly  ::-)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 11 August, 2014, 10:54:13 pm
I'm sure this would be easier with a 'Continental Shelf' type German bog...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 August, 2014, 10:59:05 pm
Blimey! I have to take two samples from each of three different craps. That's more onerous than I thought. I reckon that will be tomorrow, Thursday and Friday then.

I'm sure this would be easier with a 'Continental Shelf' type German bog...

The instructions state explicitly that you mustn't take the samples out of the bog because there is a risk that they could be contaminated with other people's shit. That would never do. The recommended method is to catch it in your hand, either in bog paper or a plastic bag, or in a clean ice cream tub*. Maybe the old-style German Krappenhaus might have been suitable, but certainly not the British WC.

*Do not put it back in the freezer.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Butterfly on 11 August, 2014, 11:01:35 pm
Crumbs! That sounds complicated.

I talk about poo regularly, but I'm a nanny and we see a lot of it. ;D
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 11 August, 2014, 11:02:19 pm
Continental Shelf is self-cleansing and could be further decontaminated if needed.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 August, 2014, 08:39:51 am
One down, two to go.

That was physically - and psychologically - more difficult than I expected. My plan was to used our camping bog, temporarily lifting the "no solids" rule, but I firstly found that my enormous arse would not fit comfortably on its little seat in such a way that it would tidily collect everything that I might produce, simultaneously from both sources, as it were. Secondly, it is only a heavy duty plastic bucket and I had concerns that my elephantine mass might cause it to break.

Plan B. A double layer of paper handkerchief (man-size, naturally - much less flimsy, and of course a considerably greater area than a few sheets of bog roll) over your hand and wait for the first instalment. It's actually quite hard to steel yourself to catch your own turds, so conditioned are we from an early age not to do so. However, I collected a walnut-sized piece, used cardboard stick number one to smear a little in Window 1 of the test kit, disposed of the unwanted debris down the bog, waited for the second turd and repeated. Each test kit allows for three different craps and you have to take two samples from each, at different stages of the bowel motion, I suppose to check that different bits of the rectum are free from cancer cells.

The necessary deposits are now safely stored in my bedside cabinet, with the little flap tucked into its tab, waiting for the next two instalments. The cardboard sticks have been disposed of in a dog-shit bag to be exported to the park when we go later this morning.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Snakehips on 12 August, 2014, 08:44:56 am
Presumably in-bowl contamination could come from contact with the bowl or the water. If one managed to suspend one's output above the waterline and away from the sides of the bowl , that material kept 'high and dry' would remain contamination free.
A sheet of loosely crumpled newspaper placed appropriately would do the trick. It would also flush away obligingly when the sampling was completed.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 August, 2014, 08:50:48 am
I think newspaper would be liable to cause a blockage downstream. The loose fibres of bog paper and paper handkerchieves are designed to disintegrate rapidly in water, but I think newspaper, especially the higher-quality stuff produced these days, would take much too long.
Title: Too much information!
Post by: frankly frankie on 12 August, 2014, 09:06:44 am
Mine always sticks to the side of the bowl anyway** so it's simple to scrape off a sample that hasn't contacted any water or porcelain.  Hand-catching is impossible anyway - I can't reach.

** or in France, to the back wall.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 August, 2014, 09:38:37 am
How could you be sure that you are collecting samples from different turds?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 12 August, 2014, 10:07:56 am
Maybe a pulp cardboard bedpan/bedpan liner, placed 'twixt WC pan and seat could catch the products efficiently.

Something like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/VERNACARE-BEDPAN-LINER-CASE-101AA100/dp/B00CESSBMK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1407843785&sr=8-7&keywords=bedpan+liner (http://www.amazon.co.uk/VERNACARE-BEDPAN-LINER-CASE-101AA100/dp/B00CESSBMK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1407843785&sr=8-7&keywords=bedpan+liner)

A keen forumenger could buy 100 use a few, then pass the pack on to the next in need.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 12 August, 2014, 10:15:42 am
Another 'line' of this bowel screening was to offer flexible sigmoidoscopy to everyone from some, but not all, General Practices in our area at 55.
I had this last year and needed a follow-up colonoscopy.
I have had the 'all-clear' after this and need nothing else till I get Wow's poo sticks in 4 years' time.
My friend, who is local and the same age, was not offered this.
Shame. Her first husband died of bowel cancer.
I suggested she request screening; she works in healthcare.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: orienteer on 12 August, 2014, 10:26:06 am
Been doing these tests for a number of years now.  A cousin and her husband ignored them; unfortunately he died of bowel cancer earlier this year  :(
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Bledlow on 12 August, 2014, 10:53:38 am
Squat over a sheet of clingfilm on the floor?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 August, 2014, 12:32:25 pm
Or a glass table?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Polar Bear on 12 August, 2014, 12:36:13 pm
I'm reliably told that kitchen roll or paper towels are the best being generally thicker and larger per sheet than bog roll making it easier to catch a log cleanly.

Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 12 August, 2014, 12:48:18 pm
... this is just a routine test that is sent to everyone who reaches 60.

Aha, this is something to look forward to - and no, that wasn't said sarcastically. I lost a work colleague who, at the age of 54, died two weeks after stomach cancer was discovered and I hear or read of cancers being discovered in routine health checks. I have often wondered how one gets a routine health check as I haven't seen my GP in over 35 years.

So long as you are still registered with a UK GP at a UK address, it should be sent automagically.
Given you have been 'off scene' for a while, it might be wise to check you are still registered.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 12 August, 2014, 12:53:04 pm
The description makes riding the black lizard seem a doddle by comparison.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: red marley on 12 August, 2014, 01:35:04 pm
Maybe a pulp cardboard bedpan/bedpan liner, placed 'twixt WC pan and seat could catch the products efficiently.

Something like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/VERNACARE-BEDPAN-LINER-CASE-101AA100/dp/B00CESSBMK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1407843785&sr=8-7&keywords=bedpan+liner (http://www.amazon.co.uk/VERNACARE-BEDPAN-LINER-CASE-101AA100/dp/B00CESSBMK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1407843785&sr=8-7&keywords=bedpan+liner)

A keen forumenger could buy 100 use a few, then pass the pack on to the next in need.

Roger - could you organise some YACF branded ones with various colour options?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 August, 2014, 03:05:07 pm
Another 'line' of this bowel screening was to offer flexible sigmoidoscopy to everyone from some, but not all, General Practices in our area at 55.
I had this last year and needed a follow-up colonoscopy.
I have had the 'all-clear' after this and need nothing else till I get Wow's poo sticks in 4 years' time.
My friend, who is local and the same age, was not offered this.
Shame. Her first husband died of bowel cancer.
I suggested she request screening; she works in healthcare.

Would you like me to store them for 4 years or send them now?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 12 August, 2014, 03:35:38 pm
Another 'line' of this bowel screening was to offer flexible sigmoidoscopy to everyone from some, but not all, General Practices in our area at 55.
I had this last year and needed a follow-up colonoscopy.
I have had the 'all-clear' after this and need nothing else till I get Wow's poo sticks in 4 years' time.
My friend, who is local and the same age, was not offered this.
Shame. Her first husband died of bowel cancer.
I suggested she request screening; she works in healthcare.

Would you like me to store them for 4 years or send them now?

I leave the decision to an older, wiser man... ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 August, 2014, 03:56:48 pm
Another 'line' of this bowel screening was to offer flexible sigmoidoscopy to everyone from some, but not all, General Practices in our area at 55.
I had this last year and needed a follow-up colonoscopy.
I have had the 'all-clear' after this and need nothing else till I get Wow's poo sticks in 4 years' time.
My friend, who is local and the same age, was not offered this.
Shame. Her first husband died of bowel cancer.
I suggested she request screening; she works in healthcare.

Would you like me to store them for 4 years or send them now?

I leave the decision to an older, wiser man... ;D ;D ;D

Who's that then?  ???
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 13 August, 2014, 08:39:57 pm
I finally got my response letter today. I have to admit that I was beginning to get a little concerned (as you do).  Normally, the response is pretty quick, so waiting nearly two weeks had me thinking things like, "Oh god, they've found something, I've been passed to another department and I'll be getting a letter from them"
I opened the letter tonight.  My first thought was, "Oh no, it's too long, a whole page of stuff.  That's got to be bad news"

Basically it said, "Dear Basil, thank you for some most delightful poo.  All clear".
Then several paragraphs of blah, blah, blah.

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 August, 2014, 12:59:08 am
Excellent news, Basil. I am sure your poo is a joy to behold.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 August, 2014, 09:43:54 am
I have finished my smearing and the little bit of card is in its PBP (Poo By Post) envelope and is ready to go. I'm rather glad to get that over with, to be honest.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 14 August, 2014, 10:38:53 am
The emotion of a motion in motion...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 August, 2014, 12:04:14 pm
I was discussing this procedure with family members. My brother tells me that his dear wife cannot steel herself to play with her own turds and so has not partaken in the screening. I emailed my younger daughter, who knows a lot about cancer as it's her job to do so, and she quite sensibly pointed out that getting bowel cancer would involve a lot more horrid yuk than just catching a few turds ever couple of years, would no doubt hurt a lot and could well prove fatal, so nipping it in the bud must be a good idea.

So, folks, Take Care of your Turds!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 14 August, 2014, 01:23:54 pm
If you are offered a flexible sigmoidoscopy at 55, go for that too.
The preparatory enema is 'just one of those things'  and not painful.
The scoping itself is a tad painful in parts but bearable.
They found and removed a polyp in my case, then referred me for a colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy preparation is tedious; 4 days on a low-res diet was dull and I really missed my 5-a-day (usually more like 8 in my case).
I had the colonoscopy using Entonox as I really didn't want sedation. Some parts were momentarily hurty.
I was given the all clear; they even saw my appendix!

A while later, a taxi driver told me how he had lost his 17-year-old son to bowel cancer.

Caught early, bowel growths are easily treatable.
Caught too late its poo bags
or curtains.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 August, 2014, 01:53:55 pm
I can't do that without a tardis!

Had a conversation with younger daughter today - she works for Cancer Research UK. She was telling me that bowel cancer is the third biggest killer in the UK, after breast and lung. From what I understand the polyps take about 50* years to develop and if you have the flexible sigmoidoscopy at 55 any they find will be removed and you won't need it done again. CRUK are currently pressurising the government to introduce these tests a a matter of course, to be followed up with the sort of test that I have done this week. It is estimated that incidences of bowel cancer will be reduced by 50% if FS becomes universal.

*I think this may be wrong and a result of me mishearing her - she was speaking to me from Melbourne. I think 15 is more likely.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 14 August, 2014, 01:58:24 pm
I wasn't suggesting a time machine for you, Wow!
I was trying to encourage our younger brethren to accept and participate in any screening offered for all the reasons you outline.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 14 August, 2014, 02:01:46 pm
The frequency depends on your pathology. I get to ride the black lizard every two years, on account of my condition.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: frankly frankie on 14 August, 2014, 02:22:50 pm
I have finished my smearing and the little bit of card is in its PBP (Poo By Post) envelope and is ready to go.

Make sure you address it to Helly.  And put a 2nd-class stamp on, that way it really might take 4 years to get to her.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: arry_b on 14 August, 2014, 03:27:41 pm
When the pilot for the Bowel Cancer Screening system was being run it wasn't unheard of for the labs, instead of a sealed sample card, to receive a jiffy bag containing a complete poo.

That made for an unhappy postman.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 14 August, 2014, 04:25:03 pm
I've looked at shit through a microscope.  It's a lot less exciting that you might expect.

Having looked at a shit load of it in my career - on bits of cardboard, in plastic bottles, in blenders, dried under IR lamps, and stirred up with ether - its actually incredibly boring.
Although if you do want some light reading I refer you to The Bristol Stool Scale (yes, Bristol) :  http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_stool_scale
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 14 August, 2014, 09:42:38 pm
I'm sure the Bristol Chart has been discussed elsewhere within yacf.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 August, 2014, 11:08:47 pm
It has indeed, more frequently that the King's Lynn Gonad Shield.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 August, 2014, 11:45:00 pm
I have received a letter to tell me that my turds are normal and that should be it for a couple of years.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Viking on 02 September, 2014, 04:11:50 pm
Good Ho! Wowwers.  I have been doing this for a few years now and it is not pleasant.  I never dismiss it since my sister had bowel cancer several years ago, and I am happy to say, is still with us. However, spare a thought for the poor old postie.  He must know what he is collecting from the post box. 
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 06 June, 2016, 04:39:32 pm
Mrs. B received her first ever poo sticks envelope last week.  I notice that it is still sitting on the sideboard.   I hope I'm not going to have to encourage her.  Particularly in view of today being the day my brother starts his chemo.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Ripio on 06 June, 2016, 08:47:59 pm
I have had a rather nice PM from a concerned forummer, whom I have assured that this is just a routine test that is sent to everyone who reaches 60.

I will probably give it a go in the morning. You will be relieved to hear that TT will remain WP.
These screening tests start at age 50 in Scotland
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 September, 2016, 08:35:32 am
Mrs. Wow and I are going through our second instalment of Poo Sticks. Jan has finished hers and it's ready to post. I have just dealt with my second round (they want 6 smears all together, two from the different stages, as it were, of 3 different poos). Eating those quinoa seeds last night was definitely a mistake...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 07 September, 2016, 10:29:26 am
I've just received my next installment.  It doesn't seem long enough from the last time.  Perhaps it's because I've changed health authorities.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 September, 2016, 08:39:27 pm
It's more than 2 years, Basil.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 07 September, 2016, 09:44:23 pm
Oh.  Thanks Wow.

Bugger.  I'm getting older faster.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 07 September, 2016, 10:59:47 pm
Riding the black lizard has to be more fun than poking turds with a plastic spatula.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 September, 2016, 11:04:21 pm
They aren't plastic. They are made of cardboard.

(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t35.0-12/14284842_1672091269776742_1049462037_o.jpg?oh=8169e62326861cb1f824853711161a00&oe=57D3140B)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 07 September, 2016, 11:07:12 pm
Ah. You have to be quick, else your fingers go in it.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 08 September, 2016, 12:01:53 am
I wondered what those smears were on my Ipad.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 26 May, 2018, 02:38:48 pm
Just been sent a letter telling me I'll have a birthday card soon.
Hope I can manage handling the business.
Can't ask David...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 25 July, 2018, 09:40:03 pm
Got the birthday card before my birthday.
Waited to return it till last Wednesday.
Letter in today's post telling me I'm OK, with usual caveats.

David read letter over my shoulder. Said he didn't know I'd had any recent screening.
Best that way.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: LEE on 26 July, 2018, 12:58:41 pm
Since I reached 50 never a year goes by without such an activity and/or having something inserted in me.

My recent Over-50s NHS Bowel-Screening even beat my Prostate exams on the scale of - 1 to "Errr..Doctor...I think that's far enough".*

In case you were wondering it's a fiber-optic camera, equipped with a grabber and CO2 inflation nozzles. 
They inflate you with CO2 as they go along and it is fairly unpleasant because it actually does feel like you may explode.

None of this embarrassment or discomfort would, I am certain, be anywhere near as bad as the long-term effects, and treatment of, undiscovered cancer up the Poo-pipe. 

It's a very small price to pay to either get the all-clear or discover it early in my opinion.


* 'I'm sure he was wearing a wrist watch before he started'
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 26 July, 2018, 01:20:17 pm
What's the starting age for this stuff ?   I'm 53 & haven't had any notifications.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Ham on 26 July, 2018, 01:48:01 pm
I thought it started at 60, I may be wrong but mine did
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: ScumOfTheRoad on 26 July, 2018, 01:49:23 pm
Lee, you have read Agent Picolax?
For the uninitated, this is from a cycling forum  http://www.ign.com/boards/threads/this-is-a-very-long-read-but-i-swear-it-is-worth-it-it-is-the-greatest-violent-poo-story-ever-told.452628177/

Be prepared - do not read this somewhere you cannot laugh till you go blue.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 26 July, 2018, 01:57:53 pm
What's the starting age for this stuff ?   I'm 53 & haven't had any notifications.
My first one was at 60.  Then every 2 years since then.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 26 July, 2018, 02:26:52 pm
I had a sigmoidoscopy at 55 (followed by colonoscopy cos they found a polyp).

Poo sticks cards come at 60 hereabouts. I think they're every other year after that, up to 75.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Kim on 26 July, 2018, 02:30:50 pm
You can guarantee they'll have stopped doing them by the time my generation get to 60...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: LEE on 26 July, 2018, 02:59:48 pm
What's the starting age for this stuff ?   I'm 53 & haven't had any notifications.

56 for the CO2 inflation and the "Selfie Stick" from hell.  NHS

The rest were as part of BUPA health-screening (A company perk of having someone's index-finger* shoved up your arse every few years).

* ...and what also feels like their hand and elbow.  It convinced me that I wouldn't be suited to prison life.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Chris S on 26 July, 2018, 03:10:23 pm
Same as Helly - 55 for the Sigmoidoscopy.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: rafletcher on 26 July, 2018, 05:33:46 pm
At 61 all I’ve had is one round of poo sticks.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 26 July, 2018, 05:53:29 pm
Not everyone gets scoped at 55. AIUI it's a postcode/GP surgery lottery.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 29 July, 2018, 09:39:31 pm
I am now 64 so I reckon I am due a third attempt.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 September, 2018, 02:23:21 pm
And it has arrived!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 24 September, 2018, 09:50:59 am
And it has arrived!

And so has mine this morning.  So other than a blip a few years ago on my change from NHS England to GIG Cymru, they're still appearing every two years.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 September, 2018, 03:31:33 pm
I completed my hat-trick last week, and my faeces should now be housed in Nottingham University.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 24 September, 2018, 03:49:23 pm
I completed my hat-trick last week, and my faeces should now be housed in Nottingham University.

I was pleasantly surprised with the speed of my (negative) results from St Mark's (Harrow).

Hope you get a similar pleasant surprise soon!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 27 September, 2018, 06:19:30 pm
I must remember to finish my poo sticks tomorrow.  I did Monday and Tuesday, but then had a tooth extracted Tuesday afternoon which meant I was spitting blood untill Wednesday morning.  (I'm a bleeder.  Blood thinners because AF)
I figured that if I'd ingested that much blood, it might show up as a false positive.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Valiant on 29 September, 2018, 01:43:06 am
I just received a sexual health kit via SHL, there's a swab for everything including stool. Never had that done before.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 29 September, 2018, 08:21:46 pm
I completed my hat-trick last week, and my faeces should now be housed in Nottingham University.

I was pleasantly surprised with the speed of my (negative) results from St Mark's (Harrow).

Hope you get a similar pleasant surprise soon!

I had the all-clear today. Interestingly, the letter was addressed from Nottingham but the envelope said St. Marks, Harrow. Could it be that my poo is so pristine that different NHS branches want to share it?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 29 September, 2018, 09:31:19 pm
That's VERY quick! Mebbe everything goes to Harrow but is relayed from a local hub.

But I am local to Harrow anyway.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 29 September, 2018, 11:22:18 pm
I left pathology as this scheme was being rolled out, but the grand plan was to automate the process of testing in regional centres, with virtually no input from local NHS labs. Local labs were to continue to do the ad hoc testing, but not be part of the screening programme. As I left there was a bidding war in progress for funding for the clever machines that do this stuff.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 30 September, 2018, 08:44:54 am
And there was I imagining serried ranks of white-coated lab technicians whose solemn task it was to examine people's poo under a microscope and to say "Yea!" or "Nay!" depending on the blood cell count, and have little competitions to see who could get the most positives before tea break.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 04 October, 2018, 10:11:18 am
Reply this morning.

Dear Mr Basil,
Top pooing!

No problems.

Love
A machine.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Grimrod on 19 November, 2018, 11:49:26 pm
I've done a couple of these screenings now.  I was asked to re-submit the last one. Happily the re-test came back negative. When I reflected on what I'd been eating at the time I remembered enjoying a very rare steak a couple of days prior to sampling, so I reckon that's where the blood cells came from.
By the way, I reckon the NHS is one of the best things we've got going for us in the UK....
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 20 November, 2018, 12:00:26 am
I left pathology as this scheme was being rolled out, but the grand plan was to automate the process of testing in regional centres, with virtually no input from local NHS labs. Local labs were to continue to do the ad hoc testing, but not be part of the screening programme. As I left there was a bidding war in progress for funding for the clever machines that do this stuff.

Was the contract won by Crapita?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 27 November, 2018, 04:54:06 pm
Seems poo sticks only improve outcomes for men with left-sided tumours according to recent Finnish study...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Salvatore on 14 December, 2018, 03:13:13 pm
The first set of sample I sent were unclear, so I was sent a second kit. I submitted that, and it was negative, but it isn't the end of it. Best of three, apparently. 
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 14 December, 2018, 05:26:58 pm
The first set of sample I sent were unclear, so I was sent a second kit. I submitted that, and it was negative, but it isn't the end of it. Best of three, apparently.

Good luck.

I think I would opt for a colonoscopy at this point, personally. You might well end up with one anyway and it would mean less mucking about and greater diagnostic accuracy.

They're not too awful really.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Salvatore on 14 December, 2018, 08:00:58 pm
The first set of sample I sent were unclear, so I was sent a second kit. I submitted that, and it was negative, but it isn't the end of it. Best of three, apparently.

Good luck.

I think I would opt for a colonoscopy at this point, personally. You might well end up with one anyway and it would mean less mucking about and greater diagnostic accuracy.

They're not too awful really.

After the tests I had when I was peeing burgundy rather than weak lemonade, a colonoscopy would hold no fears for me.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: tiermat on 15 December, 2018, 07:51:36 am
For slightly different reasons, I need to do one of these, on a regular basis, usually after visiting the specialist.

The most recent one was sent in about a month ago. Results letter came yesterday, all clear, thus specialist doesn't need to see me for a year (was on 3-6 months)

Yay!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: rogerzilla on 15 December, 2018, 09:44:02 am
The easiest way to get poo on a stick is to eat something that makes it come out like a flock of seagulls, then you can scrape it off the side of the bowl  :hand:
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: rogerzilla on 15 December, 2018, 09:44:36 am
After the tests I had when I was peeing burgundy rather than weak lemonade, a colonoscopy would hold no fears for me.
Beeturia?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: whosatthewheel on 15 December, 2018, 10:14:25 am
The easiest way to get poo on a stick is to eat something that makes it come out like a flock of seagulls, then you can scrape it off the side of the bowl  :hand:

That'd be sprouts for me then...  ::-)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Salvatore on 15 December, 2018, 10:25:23 am
After the tests I had when I was peeing burgundy rather than weak lemonade, a colonoscopy would hold no fears for me.
Beeturia?

Definitely blood,
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 30 May, 2019, 07:50:14 pm
Just had a communication from my pal Ruth NOTP, but Lancashire. Her husband had two positive tests for blood in his poo and, full of concern, had a colonoscopy. This gave him the all clear.

Medical advice: don't have black pudding in the 48 hours before using your poo sticks.  :D
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Canardly on 30 May, 2019, 08:04:24 pm
Where do piles sit in all of this?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: caerau on 30 May, 2019, 08:43:42 pm
Different colour blood - blood from them is fresh and bright red - the Nasty blood is much darker and thicker - but yeah- it does muddy the picture somewhat.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: nicknack on 30 May, 2019, 10:34:32 pm
Don't have piles either. Last lot 2 years ago resulted in a colonoscopy.

2 down, 1 to go of my latest batch of sticks (this is my 4th lot now). I haven't had any obvious bleeding for a while now, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: JonJo on 07 February, 2020, 09:24:44 am
Much neater kit now. Just a single plastic wand which protrudes from the inside of a bottle cap. Get the sample onto the wand, put the lid back on the bottle so sample is now in the bottle. Robert's your father's brother.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Chris S on 07 February, 2020, 11:35:54 am
I'm expecting my first present in the post any time soon  :thumbsup:.

Of course - I managed to get a bonus Sigmoidoscopy when I was 55, so the NHS' interest in my bum started early.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 07 February, 2020, 12:52:44 pm
I'm expecting my first present in the post any time soon  :thumbsup:.

Of course - I managed to get a bonus Sigmoidoscopy when I was 55, so the NHS' interest in my bum started early.

I got a sigmoidoscopy at 55. They found and removed a polyp.
They followed this with a colonoscopy and gave me the all clear.

Poo sticks in 2018 were clear.

Expect more around next birthday...i
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 07 February, 2020, 01:40:54 pm
Once you are on their list, you are always on. I ride the black lizard once very year or two years, but I still get sent the birthday present packages. I phone up and say that I don't need them.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 12 March, 2020, 07:11:23 pm
I've just had a letter..........   They want to shove a camera up my bottom  :jurek:       


I suspect that given the upcoming workload on the NHS routine stuff like this may be sidelined & staff deployed elsewhere. 
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Gus on 12 March, 2020, 07:47:03 pm
Had my first test Kit a few weeks ago.
Result came today: All clear, Will recieve a new
Kit in two years
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Regulator on 16 March, 2020, 10:27:17 am
I didn't get a test kit when I turned 50 or in the two years since...  but I've had three sigmoidoscopies.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 16 March, 2020, 12:57:58 pm
I thought they only sent poo sticks at 60 and did sigmoidoscopy at 55.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 16 March, 2020, 02:56:44 pm
I just tell them I don’t need the poo sticks on account of sitting on mount Olympus at least once every two years. I have to remind the poo sticks people every time.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Regulator on 16 March, 2020, 03:14:39 pm
I thought they only sent poo sticks at 60 and did sigmoidoscopy at 55.

I'm supposed to have them every two years because of a history of bowel cancer and Crohn's Disease.  Seemed to get them regularly for some years but then, when we moved to Cambridge, I got them for a couple of years and then it became more intermittent and nothing in the last few years.  GP practice gets reminded regularly but still can't get it's act together.

Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 13 June, 2020, 03:54:05 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/13/doctors-warn-that-thousands-could-die-of-bowel-cancer-after-halt-in-screening
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 13 June, 2020, 09:15:29 pm
I think I'm due another birthday card. I was 62 last Sunday and had one for my 60th...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 21 September, 2020, 02:41:11 pm
The Machine informs me I'll get my FIT kit in a fortnight.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 September, 2020, 04:02:52 pm
Many happy returns of the sticks!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 21 September, 2020, 09:27:55 pm
I've heard nothing since the letter in March.   I assume they are busy with other things.   :-\
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 September, 2020, 11:06:58 am
My employers send all employees over 50 for advanced health screening every year. Bloods, heart ECG thingy, prostate and poo sticks.

Its august/september, must be time to be probed again  ::-)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 30 September, 2020, 03:11:15 pm
Package arrived in mail today.
'What's that?' asked D
'I won't tell you over breakfast. Birthday card from NHS. They send that to you every two years after you're 60.'

D has OCD and poo is taboo. Got cleaning lady to post last envelope. Will probably do the same again...

[ETA] Mission accomplished. Clear for another two years.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 October, 2020, 01:12:48 am
I'm due another test and haven't heard from anyone.

I suspect they have got Serco to combine poo sticks with a Covid test - back of the throat, up your nose, up your arse. It's important to get them in the right order.

Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 17 October, 2020, 02:23:33 am
Suspect your will arrive shortly.
My birthday is early June and all my bowel screening has been around early October.

Given your birthday is about three weeks after mine, methinks it won't be long...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 17 October, 2020, 06:31:13 am
I'm due another test and haven't heard from anyone.

I suspect they have got Serco to combine poo sticks with a Covid test - back of the throat, up your nose, up your arse. It's important to get them in the right order.

This prompted me to look back through this thread for my last test.
September 2018.  So it's already 4 weeks late.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: T42 on 17 October, 2020, 09:18:37 am
I'm due another test and haven't heard from anyone.

I suspect they have got Serco to combine poo sticks with a Covid test - back of the throat, up your nose, out your arse. It's important to get them in the right order.

FTFY

Trouble begins when they withdraw the probe.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: robgul on 17 October, 2020, 12:54:42 pm
On a slightly different area of the body I had a CT scan a couple of weeks ago to check kidney function (having had bladder cancer and some major surgery in 2014) - delighted to report all flowing well and no sign of cancer recurrence.  Bowel test envelope due imminently.

A bit higher up, my wife went to the breast screening truck a couple of weeks ago .... letter yesterday and she shouted up the stairs "All OK, I've got top tits!"   - who's going to argue with that  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 17 October, 2020, 03:02:01 pm
the new poo sticks only need a small single sample on a stick that's a couple of cm long and has shallow ridges that must be covered.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 17 October, 2020, 03:11:54 pm
the new poo sticks only need a small single sample on a stick that's a couple of cm long and has shallow ridges that must be covered.

That's quite a specification for a turd.

Covered with what...?!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 17 October, 2020, 05:02:07 pm
The ridges are about ½ mm deep and 2mm apart.

You need to coat stick with a thin layer of poo.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 17 October, 2020, 06:03:04 pm
I don't measure the ridges on my poo  ;)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 19 November, 2020, 11:47:43 am
I've just received a letter.


"As part of the national response to covid-19 the national bowel scope service was paused & decisions are now being made about the future of this service." 


Once these decisions have been made etc etc.



Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 19 November, 2020, 12:11:37 pm
 ???

That sounds like they are going to discontinue it...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 November, 2020, 09:42:19 pm
I'm overdue a test, given that I was 66 5 months ago.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 November, 2020, 09:45:26 pm
I've just received a letter.


"As part of the national response to covid-19 the national bowel scope service was paused & decisions are now being made about the future of this service." 


Once these decisions have been made etc etc.

I've just sent this to y daughter in Oz. She said

Quote
Wtf?!
Heather Walker sent Today at 21:44
I'll forward
Heather Walker sent Today at 21:44
Run by public health England as well
Heather Walker sent Today at 21:44
Do you have access to the full letter?
Heather Walker sent Today at 21:44
Can remove names etc


Also:

Quote
What?!
Heather Walker sent Today at 21:43
They'll be all over it
Heather Walker sent Today at 21:43
I can't see that happening
Heather Walker sent Today at 21:43
It's the most effective programme
Heather Walker sent Today at 21:43
Cuts deaths by 1/3 from bowel cancer if optimally used

She used to work at Cancer Research UK.

Given this government's propensity for wrecking everything, it would be entirely in character for them to do this.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 21 November, 2020, 10:08:00 pm
I'm overdue a test, given that I was 66 5 months ago.

Seems things are slipping more. Mine arrived 4 months after my early June birthday.

Hmm...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: CarlF on 16 December, 2020, 01:42:33 pm
???

That sounds like they are gong to discontinue it...

Nah, they'll hand it to Serco/Capita/G4S/Rupert, the treasurer at Matt Hancock's dad's golf club
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2020, 05:54:22 pm
I was thinking 'Mine was four months after my birthday and RR's not yet 4½ months past his birthday. He'll get his card soon...'
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Salvatore on 08 January, 2021, 02:26:18 pm
I had a letter this morning (actually I had 2 - both from the NHS) saying I could expect the kit in 2 weeks' time.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 08 January, 2021, 03:29:29 pm
[OT]
So it's not just AUK that sends out missives in duplicate then...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Snakehips on 11 January, 2021, 12:26:46 pm
Oh my, how they have changed. (I know this is covered upthread but this is my first encounter with the new style)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Canardly on 11 January, 2021, 04:48:31 pm
Tut its cut backs don'tya know!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 11 January, 2021, 06:01:11 pm
The new sticks are about 2.5mm in diameter IIRC and have ridges about ½mm tall that need to be covered, over the length of a centimetre or two.
It doesn't need much!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 19 January, 2021, 07:57:05 pm
I have just had a letter.


"The NHS is no longer offering bowel scope screening services across England and is extending the home testing programme from April 2021. We would therefore like to invite you to receive the home testing kit, called a FIT kit. 


Like a bowel scope a FIT kit can detect bowel cancer at an early stage in people with no symptoms. It's a simple way to find out if you need further tests.  Around 2 in every 100 people who return  a kit may need further investigations such as a colonoscopy.


You will receive your home testing kit in the post after April 2021 and we will contact you again before sending it to you. We will also provide you with information to help you decide whether to take part in FIT screening."


Best available option under pandemic conditions or cost cutting ?


Edit:


https://twitter.com/CSPRG_Imperial/status/1350182599092793344?s=20


https://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2021/01/14/bowel-scope-screening-to-stop-in-england/
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 17 February, 2021, 11:56:20 am
I'm due another test and haven't heard from anyone.

I suspect they have got Serco to combine poo sticks with a Covid test - back of the throat, up your nose, up your arse. It's important to get them in the right order.

This prompted me to look back through this thread for my last test.
September 2018.  So it's already 4 weeks late.

Mine has turned up.  5 months after I would have expected it.

Ooh. It's very different to the old three lollipop sticks. Much easier and all done in one go.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 08 March, 2021, 01:52:43 pm
Jan and I have each received a letter in the past few days telling us that our poo-kit will be arriving post haste.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Flite on 08 March, 2021, 04:45:42 pm
I reckoned mine shoud have arrived late Jan, so I phoned the centre a couple of weeks ago to find out what was happening.
Told they are running late due to covid, and I should get the test in late June.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 08 March, 2021, 05:06:01 pm
I reckoned mine shoud have arrived late Jan, so I phoned the centre a couple of weeks ago to find out what was happening.
Told they are running late due to covid, and I should get the test in late June.

Bloody hell.  You'll be desperate for a poo by then.  ;)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: SteveC on 08 March, 2021, 05:14:17 pm
If these are supposed to arrive around one's birthday, they're running about six months behind. MrsC's arrived on Saturday. Her birthday is mid-August.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 26 March, 2021, 01:00:50 pm
I enjoyed the delights of poo sticks a week or two ago and this morning I had a letter congratulating me on the pristine condition of my bowels.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: tonyh on 26 March, 2021, 02:06:51 pm
I've just phoned to ask for a test kit (over 75 so it doesn't come automatically), very easy - wait in queue for a bit, give NHS number, nice person sends one.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Blodwyn Pig on 26 March, 2021, 05:02:59 pm
(over 75 so it doesn't come automatically), very easy

Just saw this ^^ and had visions on poking a stick up there to get a sample and help it on its way, then, of course, I re-read it.  ::-)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Chris S on 26 March, 2021, 06:45:07 pm
(over 75 so it doesn't come automatically), very easy

Just saw this ^^ and had visions on poking a stick up there to get a sample and help it on its way, then, of course, I re-read it.  ::-)

Well, if there's anything to be found there Blod old chum, you're the one to find it  ;D
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Blodwyn Pig on 26 March, 2021, 07:09:05 pm
(over 75 so it doesn't come automatically), very easy

Just saw this ^^ and had visions on poking a stick up there to get a sample and help it on its way, then, of course, I re-read it.  ::-)

Well, if there's anything to be found there Blod old chum, you're the one to find it  ;D

ah! yes, well, I only pick up useful things...... ;)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Pingu on 30 March, 2021, 09:46:14 pm
Got the test kit today. Only seven years behind schedule  :thumbsup: The apparatus is rather more dinky than what we got when I worked in a water treatment works (think teaspoon and a test tube).
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: barakta on 30 March, 2021, 11:50:35 pm
A friend of mine is about to issue legal proceedings against Dept of Health... Cos when they send out poosticks they don't check the Visual Impairment register (which is a thing) so send out instructions blind people can't follow and don't offer alternatives. They could be sending emails offering a GP surgery nurse administered alternative.

I know how impossible it is to get a Covid test if blind and can't self-administer (watching the buck passing was painful), I can't imagine a bowel screening alternative is much better.

I expect friend will succeed, he's responsible for a fair bit of legislation that bolsters disabled people's right to access case.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 April, 2021, 12:11:57 pm
I can't do that without a tardis!

Had a conversation with younger daughter today - she works for Cancer Research UK. She was telling me that bowel cancer is the third biggest killer in the UK, after breast and lung. From what I understand the polyps take about 50* years to develop and if you have the flexible sigmoidoscopy at 55 any they find will be removed and you won't need it done again. CRUK are currently pressurising the government to introduce these tests a a matter of course, to be followed up with the sort of test that I have done this week. It is estimated that incidences of bowel cancer will be reduced by 50% if FS becomes universal.

*I think this may be wrong and a result of me mishearing her - she was speaking to me from Melbourne. I think 15 is more likely.

I've been re-reading this thread. It's fascinating.

I've quoted the above because, in a recent conversation with the same daughter (she now lives in Melbourne and runs the Victoria State skin cancer awareness campaign), she told me that the government dropped the proposal to introduce universal flexible sigmoidoscopy for 55 year olds. She reckons that it would have been the most cost-effective cancer screening programme anywhere in the world.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 30 April, 2021, 07:53:45 pm
A small package has arrived...   I'll wait until after the weekend to return it....
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 01 May, 2021, 12:07:49 am
I've got my black lizard riding letter!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Regulator on 01 May, 2021, 07:39:46 am
I have just had a letter.


"The NHS is no longer offering bowel scope screening services across England and is extending the home testing programme from April 2021. We would therefore like to invite you to receive the home testing kit, called a FIT kit. 


Like a bowel scope a FIT kit can detect bowel cancer at an early stage in people with no symptoms. It's a simple way to find out if you need further tests.  Around 2 in every 100 people who return  a kit may need further investigations such as a colonoscopy.


You will receive your home testing kit in the post after April 2021 and we will contact you again before sending it to you. We will also provide you with information to help you decide whether to take part in FIT screening."


Best available option under pandemic conditions or cost cutting ?


Edit:


https://twitter.com/CSPRG_Imperial/status/1350182599092793344?s=20


https://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2021/01/14/bowel-scope-screening-to-stop-in-england/


I’m not sure that it’s cost-cutting.   The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has recommended reducing the number of asymptomatic bowel scopes being done.  They believe the clinical risks of asymptomatic scoping may outweigh the benefits.   Their view is that scoping should only happen if there are clinical indications - such as a ‘positive’ poo stick. 
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 01 May, 2021, 07:51:08 am
So what happens to all the endocsopists and endoscopy suites?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Regulator on 01 May, 2021, 08:38:12 am
So what happens to all the endocsopists and endoscopy suites?

They won’t go to waste.  We still need them and the NHS was low on capacity anyway (it used a lot of private scope capacity). 

If anyone is interested, this is the guidance from the AMRC:  https://www.aomrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/EBI_list2_guidance_150321.pdf. (See pages 38-43).
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Hot Flatus on 01 May, 2021, 08:49:45 am
You misundstand  the intent behind Jaded's enquiry. This was not an expression of concern for the loss of an NHS service.

He was hoping some  redundant equipment might become available for his own use.  ;)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 01 May, 2021, 11:26:58 am
Indeed.

There are people in the locality that would benefit from a probing.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Russell on 01 May, 2021, 12:16:21 pm
Recently returned my second test.  I have to say that the latest system is not as easy to use as the previous one.  Juggling a small plastic container with a tight fitting lid while holding a handfull of.....
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Chris S on 01 May, 2021, 01:56:51 pm
Recently returned my second test.  I have to say that the latest system is not as easy to use as the previous one.  Juggling a small plastic container with a tight fitting lid while holding a handfull of.....

May I humbly suggest that if you're holding a handful of... product... your process could do with some improvements?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 01 May, 2021, 03:35:48 pm
You only need to coat a stick with a thin layer of poo.

If I can do this, so can most!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Russell on 13 May, 2021, 07:10:20 pm
Suggestions for an improved technique welcomed.   ;)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Feanor on 13 May, 2021, 07:55:54 pm
My poo-sticks a month or so back has lead to a colonoscopy, a CT scan a week or so back, a PET scan today and an consultation with the sawbones in a week or so.
A small localised early stage thing, apparently.

That'll bugger up my place in the Evening League!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 May, 2021, 08:16:25 pm
Oh that is suboptimal, hope that all gets rectified satisfactorily.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 13 May, 2021, 08:25:19 pm
But actually proves why bowel cancer screening is worthwhile
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: perpetual dan on 13 May, 2021, 08:30:03 pm
I hope it goes from small and localised to absent sooner rather than later.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 13 May, 2021, 09:23:00 pm
I echo what chrisbainbridge posted.
Hope you're sorted ASAP.

Wishing you a smooth treatment!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 13 May, 2021, 09:28:36 pm
Fingers crossed for a positive outcome Feanor.


I posted my poo earlier today.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Canardly on 13 May, 2021, 09:37:20 pm
Good to catch this and elminate soonest. Hope all goes well.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 15 May, 2021, 12:00:20 am
Wishing you all the best, feanor.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: T42 on 15 May, 2021, 10:15:28 am
My poo-sticks a month or so back has lead to a colonoscopy, a CT scan a week or so back, a PET scan today and an consultation with the sawbones in a week or so.
A small localised early stage thing, apparently.

That'll bugger up my place in the Evening League!

Shit.  I hope it's swiftly dealt with.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 15 May, 2021, 12:12:02 pm
Best wishes Feanor.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 15 May, 2021, 01:12:22 pm
Getting rectified* next week. Have the added fun of a swab up the nose first, then I have to self isolate until I arrive at Endoscopy. That's tricky...

*apols for using a Mrs P word with a different use to its context above, but I felt it appropriate...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: T42 on 15 May, 2021, 02:12:10 pm
Bon courage, Jaded. It's a bummer.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 21 May, 2021, 02:11:44 pm
A small package has arrived...   I'll wait until after the weekend to return it....


All clear, which is a nice way to start the weekend. 
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Ruthie on 21 May, 2021, 02:15:31 pm
Something called a FIT test coming in the post imminently.

Hoping to find a non-cancerous reason for a collapse two weeks ago, followed by a night in hospital and some dodgy blood results.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 May, 2021, 02:54:51 pm
Wishing Ruthie and everyone a lack of cancer.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 21 May, 2021, 03:15:07 pm
So, recovering after the black lizard. Made more exciting by an evacuation as I was in reception. (A Fire evacuation, silly!)

A chunk removed and two more sessions required over the next few months. Supposedly not serious, but not worry free either. Some more bowel prep to look forward to. I guess thats what comes from COVID delaying things by a year.

I have to say that the fire procedures were poor. But that’s another post.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 21 May, 2021, 04:21:00 pm
Something called a FIT test coming in the post imminently.

Hoping to find a non-cancerous reason for a collapse two weeks ago, followed by a night in hospital and some dodgy blood results.

FIT is the name for the new-type poo sticks.

Easy to use.

Hope you're clear!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 21 May, 2021, 04:26:20 pm
So, recovering after the black lizard. Made more exciting by an evacuation as I was in reception. (A Fire evacuation, silly!)

A chunk removed and two more sessions required over the next few months. Supposedly not serious, but not worry free either. Some more bowel prep to look forward to. I guess thats what comes from COVID delaying things by a year.

I have to say that the fire procedures were poor. But that’s another post.

Of course it was a fire evacuation! Post black lizard, there's nowt left for owt else!

Hope future scopes are clear and repeated bowel preps don't leave you too (under) fed up!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Feanor on 25 June, 2021, 09:48:21 pm
Prodded by a post in another thread, an update on my situation. This is a copy- paste from elsewhere.

This story begins a few months ago, with the dull thud of a plain envelope hitting the floor below the letterbox. I cannot recall the exact words, just a few phrases that stood out like found poetry. "Abnormal results" "Further investigation".

And so it was that a week ago, I found myself sitting alone in a brightly-lit windowless admissions room, wearing nothing but an open-backed surgical gown.

The room was empty, the walls blank save for a hand sanitiser and a clock. Every so often, the door would open, and some members of the surgical team would come in, and introduce themselves. Each explained the procedure to me again, and each had a sheaf of consent forms which required signing.

It had already been explained to me the range of possible outcomes, which included the possibility of being unable to rejoin my internal plumbing and thus requiring a stoma. The prospect of this was now playing on my mind more than it had previously done, and I had reached a point of almost acceptance. I was coming to the point of considering how I would be able to continue in the things I like to do under these circumstances. I already bore a large ink-mark on my belly, indicating the point where the stoma should be brought out if necessary. The consent form laid this out in stark black and white. I signed the form.

The door opened one final time, and I was beckoned forth. It was time. I was guided down a maze of windowless corridors, till we reached our destination. "Theatre twelve" he said, gesturing towards the door. "How many are there?" I ask. "Seventeen" he says. A curiously prime number for such a regularly shaped and symmetrical building I thought.

The room is brightly-lit, and clean. There is a reassuring hum of modern clinical equipment, and the staff are quietly going about their daily business. I am bidden to sit down and lean forward, to allow an initial injection into my spine. I lay back, and various electrodes attached to monitor my statistics during the procedure. A band is attached to my forehead to monitor my brain activity. "I hope it's sensitive", I say, a dull attempt at humour.

The last thing I noticed as I lay down was that behind all the modern kit, the room itself looked somewhat careworn and shabby, and I wondered how many thousands of others had lain here before me.

I am submerged a short distance below the surface. I can see the forms of people moving about above me, I can hear echos of distant voices although I cannot discern the language. I try hard to swim towards the surface, and after several attempts I just about break the surface. The room comes briefly into view, before fading out again. I am aware of myself, I can feel my own body. I cautiously move my hand down my front, feeling for the worst. But no; just my skin, still bearing the black spot. The sense of relief cannot be described. I stop swimming upwards, and allow myself to sink back a little; I can allow myself to surface in the fullness of time.

I am moved from the recovery room to the ward which will be my home for the next six days, until it is deemed I am hale and hearty enough to return home. In the morning, all tubes and tethers are removed from me, and I am free to move around as I wish. Looking at the others around me in this small ward room, it is clear that I have come out of this rather more unscathed than the others.

By the third day, I have grown restless, and have started straying ever further from the ward. I have found out that there are several oases within the ARI buildings. There is a small art gallery, a rooftop garden, and several small contemplative spaces. I made it my business to find them all.  This quest led me down long narrow empty corridors, and into floors of the building that do not get mentioned in the lifts. I frequently got the impression I was in the subterranean underbelly of the building, not intended public access. From time to time, I would be approached by a kindly member of staff, asking if I was lost. "Lost? No! I may have no idea where I am, but I am not lost." I was fully expecting to escorted back to the ward like a truant urchin reluctantly dragged by the ear back to the classroom.

On the sixth day, the decide they have had enough of me, and I am sent on my way.  Another bullet dodged, for the time being at least. The real recovery begins now.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 June, 2021, 10:11:14 pm
Good news. Heal well sir.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 25 June, 2021, 10:15:52 pm
 :thumbsup:    Good news. Recover well.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 25 June, 2021, 10:22:33 pm
Excellent news. Get well soon.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: perpetual dan on 25 June, 2021, 11:00:34 pm
That’s a really touching description, thank you. I hope your recovery continues to be good.

(Dad has a stomer. But then he nearly died, so it’s inconvenience is relatively slight.)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 26 June, 2021, 10:33:51 am
Get Well Soon!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: neilrj on 26 June, 2021, 10:58:41 am

The door opened one final time, and I was beckoned forth. It was time. I was guided down a maze of windowless corridors, till we reached our destination. "Theatre twelve" he said, gesturing towards the door. "How many are there?" I ask. "Seventeen" he says. A curiously prime number for such a regularly shaped and symmetrical building I thought.

Presumably 16 theatres and no number 13?

Glad all is well.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: barakta on 26 June, 2021, 12:11:48 pm
Hoping the rest of your recovery goes well Feanor! Great description, very prosaic.

I am glad you got to avoid a stoma. They're not the end of the world, I know several stoma-owners who still do all sorts of crazy adventures, but no one doubts they're less fun than working excretory systems and take an adjustment period.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Kim on 26 June, 2021, 01:00:29 pm
It had already been explained to me the range of possible outcomes, which included the possibility of being unable to rejoin my internal plumbing and thus requiring a stoma. The prospect of this was now playing on my mind more than it had previously done, and I had reached a point of almost acceptance. I was coming to the point of considering how I would be able to continue in the things I like to do under these circumstances.

On that note, there's a good article about cycling with a stoma in a recent edition of Laidback Cyclist:  https://shop.bhpc.org.uk/laidback-cyclist-issue-141


Thanks for the post, and best wishes for the rest of your recovery.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Feanor on 30 July, 2021, 07:49:11 pm
And so it continues...

And so six weeks after escaping from this place, I am once again sitting in a ward at ARI.
This ward has no beds, just rows of seats.
I am here to start my first cycle of chemo.

Two weeks of treatment followed by a week off for good behaviour.
The 3-week cycles will continue till the end of the year, or my body decides it's had enough of it, whichever is the sooner.

I look around at my fellow patients, and think to myself
"I do not belong here"
I am sure each of the others in their turn thinks the same.

5 hours later, it is done.
My arm is tingling with the IV infusion.
I am given enough medication to open a modest pharmacy, and am sent on my way.

The weather has clouded over since the morning
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Pingu on 30 July, 2021, 08:18:43 pm
All possible appendages crossed that the drugs do work.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 July, 2021, 10:16:09 pm
Better Living Through Chemistry.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 31 July, 2021, 03:13:10 am
What they said.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: T42 on 31 July, 2021, 07:47:14 am
Here's hoping.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: barakta on 31 July, 2021, 12:39:12 pm
Best of luck with the chemo, may your medics be swift to wrangle the necessary as it goes.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 July, 2021, 12:46:17 pm
Hoping the chemo does its job, no more and no less.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 31 July, 2021, 01:13:40 pm
Best wishes Feanor
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Feanor on 21 August, 2021, 09:29:16 pm
I'm not planning to post about every course of treatment here, but yesterdays made me think a bit

So commences round two, and another visit to ward 310.

There are perhaps 6 patients here, each silently absorbed in their own world of books, kindles, magazines.

Only one has music playing from his phone.
No earphones, we are all subject to it
Tinny renditions of devotional music; I catch phrases from Amazing Grace. He hums somewhat tunelessly along to it.

This grates on me more than it probably should. But it clearly gives him some comfort, and is but a mild irritant to me. I say nothing.

After 30 minutes, he is done and leaves, cheerfully bestowing a benediction upon us.

It is a relief to me
And yet the place seems the poorer for it.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 August, 2021, 10:23:15 pm
A bit surprising that there is no supplied musak on the ward itself (not saying it would be good or bad, just that it's unusual to go somewhere and not have piped musak forced upon you).
Hope the drugs are bearable.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Feanor on 18 January, 2022, 08:03:06 pm
A final update on this...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51829148224_5951dd84c6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mXXW4S)
grateful to have a glass (https://flic.kr/p/2mXXW4S) by Ron Lowe (https://www.flickr.com/photos/62966413@N04/), on Flickr

All Clear

It is now 9 months and 7 days since I was first diagnosed with Bowel Cancer.
Today, I have had an end-of-treatment consultation with the oncologist.

These phone appointments are not the best; they are using a hands-free echo chamber, I am on a poor mobile connection, and with a pair of ears that are mostly just painted on.
Often I have to ask for things to be repeated.  However, I was able enough to discern from the jumble of words the phrase 'All Clear'.  I will complete my current course of chemo in the next two days, and then I'm onto routine monitoring.

From now, it's recovery and re-building.
I have some (over) ambitious targets and goals, but those will need to be subject to reality checks.

I have been given the gift of time.
I will use that time.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 January, 2022, 08:10:37 pm
Excellent  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 18 January, 2022, 08:16:34 pm
That is great news.   I'm very happy to hear this.
Best wishes, matey.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Pingu on 18 January, 2022, 08:16:51 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 18 January, 2022, 10:31:10 pm
Excellent
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 18 January, 2022, 11:27:28 pm
Good stuff!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: campagman on 25 May, 2022, 08:51:50 pm
Sent off my first donation today. Over 56's now.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 06 October, 2022, 02:25:42 pm
Partner had his first for his 58th.
My latest birthday card has just arrived, 4 months late.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Lightning Phil on 09 October, 2022, 05:46:32 pm
Yeah I did this not long after my 56th this year. All clear.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 09 October, 2022, 06:01:22 pm
This thread is really useful for checking back to see when my last test was.
October 2020 it would seem.
Are they every 2 years?  Should I be expecting one soon?
It definitely won't be late, GIG (NHS Wales) have had bugger all to do in the last 2 years  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 09 October, 2022, 08:24:51 pm
I think mine might have been delayed by the roll-out to younger folk.
This might delay roll-out in Wales too.
Partner had had his shortly after his 58th birthday in July.
I had mine 4 months after my 64th birthday, which was in June.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 10 October, 2022, 04:07:53 pm
Seems from an email I've just received that those whose poo sticks show only a little blood won't be investigated if they don't have symptoms.

Seems the NHS is scaling back.

Oh dear.

Don't know if non-medics can open this linky…

https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/breaking-news/gps-to-manage-suspected-colorectal-cancer-patients-below-new-fit-threshold-via-ag/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=pulsebreakingnewsletter (https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/breaking-news/gps-to-manage-suspected-colorectal-cancer-patients-below-new-fit-threshold-via-ag/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=pulsebreakingnewsletter)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 10 October, 2022, 07:46:21 pm

I am not a medic yet I can open it.

That's not something I'd be comfortable hearing in other circumstances.   :o
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Lightning Phil on 10 October, 2022, 08:20:48 pm
Unless it requires you to login, anyone will be able to see it.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 October, 2022, 08:45:04 pm
Quite sensibly it is saying that a very low amount of blood in your poo does not need a 2 week endoscopy pathway referral. You will still be investigated but not for urgent colo rectal cancer.

The problem is that the referrals for urgent lower hi endoscopy have gone up so much that the wait is now getting too long to be safe. This should improve detection of cancer in a timely fashion and allow non-cancer causes to be appropriately investigated.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 10 October, 2022, 08:45:42 pm
Unless it requires you to login, anyone will be able to see it.

I thought it might require a log-in.
It does not.
Many medical sites I frequent do.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 February, 2023, 02:16:31 pm
I enjoyed the delights of poo sticks a week or two ago and this morning I had a letter congratulating me on the pristine condition of my bowels.

They've caught up a month.

My test arrived yesterday and I'm going to post my donation back to Nottingham in a few moments.

My Dear Wife posted hers back two days ago.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Salvatore on 03 February, 2023, 10:02:45 am
I got the "no further action required" letter a few days ago.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Polar Bear on 09 February, 2023, 09:54:54 pm
Having entered my seventh decade just a few weeks back I received an invitation to share.  I posted it on Sunday and got the all clear letter today in the post.  Pretty quick turnaround.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 February, 2023, 11:59:49 pm
Jan received the "all clear" this morning.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: T42 on 10 February, 2023, 09:04:09 am
I'm out the far end of the poo-stick stakes: at 75 they reckon that if they do find something you'll likely be dead of something else before it develops.

Well, that's a comfort.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 February, 2023, 10:19:19 am
I'm out the far end of the poo-stick stakes: at 75 they reckon that if they do find something you'll likely be dead of something else before it develops.

Well, that's a comfort.

My pal Penelope is also 75. She's had reasonably regular colonoscopies in recent years for the purpose of polyp removal. I'm not sure whether she's going to request the test - you can do and they will send them to you. Whether that includes Alsace postcodes, I doubt. ;)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Flite on 10 February, 2023, 11:57:03 am
We are both over 75 and just request the test every two years.
Same for my breast cancer screening - I just phone after 3 years.
The NHS stops so much routine screening over 70s which seems perverse to my way of thinking.
The staff who answer the phone are always really pleased that folks are being pro-active.

Unlike our GP receptionist _ I had to get decidedly firm with her before she would book us in for the routine blood tests - diabetes, cholesterol etc. It was over 6 years since we last had them.
Again, the nurse who actually did the tests said it was great that we were getting them done.



Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: tonyh on 10 February, 2023, 12:04:07 pm
The staff who answer the phone are always really pleased that folks are being pro-active.

Yes!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 February, 2023, 02:33:19 pm
All clear for me this morning.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 11 February, 2023, 02:59:44 pm
Good news!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 February, 2023, 03:07:09 pm
It was odd: I had a text from the GP surgery to say that "my latest test required no further action" and the letter arrived this morning. Jan got the letter, but no text.

I also received a letter this morning inviting me to take part in a Free Lung Health Check. I suspect this might be because of my history of sleep apnoea. It will be a telephone appointment lasting 20-30 minutes and might involve a CT scan.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Paul on 11 February, 2023, 04:54:06 pm
My first one arrived yesterday.
I forgot to use the kit for my first of the day but #2 #2 came along quickly enough.
What an interesting way to spend a few minutes!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: robgul on 11 February, 2023, 05:58:17 pm
My first one arrived yesterday.
I forgot to use the kit for my first of the day but #2 #2 came along quickly enough.
What an interesting way to spend a few minutes!

You haven't lived - the "old style" test kits (before about 3 years ago) were much more fun . .  even "hands on"   
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 04 March, 2023, 11:09:00 am
Last poo stick was October 2020. Next has arrived this morning.  How often are they supposed to be?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Nuncio on 04 March, 2023, 12:04:03 pm
I've done 2 in about 9 months but the first was the age thing and the second part of a work-based health check.

PH Wales says
Quote
People aged between 55 and 74, and who are living in Wales are invited to take the test every two years.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 04 March, 2023, 12:12:09 pm

PH Wales says
Quote
People aged between 55 and 74, and who are living in Wales are invited to take the test every two years.

I did not know about the upper age limit.
I'll be 74 this month, so I won't be invited to play after this one. ???
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 04 March, 2023, 01:13:19 pm
Last poo stick was October 2020. Next has arrived this morning.  How often are they supposed to be?

Every even-numbered birthday…
Covid has caused delays.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Flite on 04 March, 2023, 01:22:49 pm
Quote
I'll be 74 this month, so I won't be invited to play after this one

I'm older than that. I just phone when the two years is nearly up and they send a test and always sound pleased that I am asking.
I suspect the experts in bowel cancer would like to extend the age limits, but the NHS accountants will not.

Same with breast cancer screening, regular health checks with the GP/nurse etc.
They all stop at 70 or 75, as if we don't matter.
Need to be proactive to look after your health these days.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: robgul on 04 March, 2023, 01:53:31 pm
Last poo stick was October 2020. Next has arrived this morning.  How often are they supposed to be?

Depends if you're "regular"  ;D
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 March, 2023, 05:22:08 pm
In Scotland, every two years once over 50.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 09 March, 2023, 07:46:25 pm
I think my GP surgery has end-of-financial year-itis. (Or is it Must Hit Target-itis?)
Just sent me a text instructing me to arrange bowel screening by ringing the freephone number they gave.
Could swear I did poo sticks in October 2022.
Last year, they called me for a smear test, for which I was too old to be eligible.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 March, 2023, 08:42:06 pm
I think my GP surgery has end-of-financial year-itis. (Or is it Must Hit Target-itis?)
Just sent me a text instructing me to arrange bowel screening by ringing the freephone number they gave.
Could swear I did poo sticks in October 2022.
Last year, they called me for a smear test, for which I was too old to be eligible.
Partner had his first for his 58th.
My latest birthday card has just arrived, 4 months late.

I believe you are right... ;)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 09 March, 2023, 09:08:22 pm
Yeah, I checked back and saw that!
I'll phone tomorrow; it should be on their record and hope they can remind GP…

ETA This thread is handy for confirming I was screened in September 2020 and October 2022...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Adam on 09 March, 2023, 09:17:24 pm
It's interesting that Scotland & Wales start testing much early than England.  Anyway, I'm 60 in a few months - not had any invitations!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Polar Bear on 09 March, 2023, 09:39:36 pm
My invitation arrived one week after my 60th birthday.  The poo stick arrived shortly after even though I had not got around to replying.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 March, 2023, 09:41:52 pm
Yeah, I checked back and saw that!
I'll phone tomorrow; it should be on their record and hope they can remind GP…

ETA This thread is handy for confirming I was screened in September 2020 and October 2022...

I find YACF a great source for establishing the timing of certain events. About 25% of my life is well chronicled in these pages.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Polar Bear on 09 March, 2023, 09:51:16 pm
Indeed Wow but keeping track of your movements here in YACF is a tad disconcerting ...  🤔
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 March, 2023, 10:36:43 pm
Indeed Wow but keeping track of your movements here in YACF is a taurd disconcerting ...  🤔

HTH
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 10 March, 2023, 01:11:54 am
It's interesting that Scotland & Wales start testing much early than England.  Anyway, I'm 60 in a few months - not had any invitations!

Partner had sticks for his 58th. We're in Outer London.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Polar Bear on 10 March, 2023, 06:37:06 am
Indeed Wow but keeping track of your movements here in YACF is a taurd disconcerting ...  🤔

HTH

 Hmmm ... 
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 10 March, 2023, 10:01:37 am
Poo stick package received 4th March.
All clear letter received today 10th March.
Pretty good service, I'd say.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Nuncio on 10 March, 2023, 01:19:03 pm
I heard it was a shit service.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: The Movers on 10 March, 2023, 01:50:13 pm
Truly terrible jokes belong elsewhere...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 10 March, 2023, 03:04:14 pm
Phoned Helldesk. Was #1 in queueue from connection but still had call lasting 14:40, most of which was on hold. <yawn>
Confirmed October 2022 poo sticks.
Told me to ignore GP texts , that they apparently 'send to everyone'.

I'm annoyed that my time & trouble is treated with such contempt.

I happen to be a lady of leisure.
I don't think I'm neurotic about health issues.

STUPID texts could cause much anger & anxiety elsewhere.

I am grouchy!
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Auntie Helen on 10 March, 2023, 03:37:29 pm
I picked up my poo stick Behälter today from the Frauenarzt. It’s a year late as I didn’t visit him last year (Corona etc). I’m 51, so it starts at 50 in Germany.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 10 March, 2023, 03:50:20 pm
We receive discreet postal packages in a plain wrapper.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Polar Bear on 10 March, 2023, 03:57:13 pm
I didn't.  Mine was in an NHS branded flat carton type box with a perforated tab to pull to lift lid.

Once you've see one you know exactly what they are.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 15 March, 2023, 01:01:53 pm
A letter this morning saying my next test kit will be arriving shortly.   Last one was January 2021. 


All part of the fun of growing old.  PSA last month which was thankfully OK. 
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 15 March, 2023, 01:06:09 pm
Did you opt for a PSA test? It's not one of the default ones the NHS does.

I got a lot of hostility from USAnians on FB when I said I'd never had a PSA test. My understanding is that they aren't that reliable, which is why the NHS doesn't do them by default, but My Mate Frank, who was given 5 years to live in 2017 when he had his prostate removed, told me earlier this month that if they had been a standard test, he wouldn't have had the trouble he has had.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Flite on 15 March, 2023, 01:25:09 pm
I had to out-manouvre the receptionist at our GP practice before she would book my husband in for a PSA test. They do not do them routinely, but it seems they can't really refuse if you ask (aka winge on relentlessly till they give in).
Our neighbour has just had surgery to remove his prostate, done as a planned operation having been monitored for a few years. AIUT,  once there is a base-line record, changes can be picked up which is more effective than a one-off test.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 15 March, 2023, 01:35:33 pm
I got a text from my GP surgery a month or so back which referred me to the Prostate Cancer UK* website suggesting it was a good idea to book one in via the surgery.   I was arranging blood tests for other things**  so they stuck that on the list as well. 


On checking my records I'd previously has one back in 2015 as well.



*which bombarded me with emails until I hit "unsubscribe"


** textbook gallstone symptoms when I made the arrangement,  the 1st appointment for an ultrasound scan got lost & is rescheduled for Saturday.  In the meantime the discomfort has passed...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 15 March, 2023, 07:34:01 pm


Did you opt for a PSA test? It's not one of the default ones the NHS does.
I've been retired for over a decade so my information is probably out of date.

PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) is a straightforward reliable assay. Highly specific, accurate and precise. It's assayed using high throughput automated analysers.
It used to be less precise at low (normal) levels, but better assays had come along by the time I stopped doing them.

It's an assay that can give slightly raised values in normal men for no apparent reason, leading to further investigations
As an assay it is excellent at monitoring the course of prostate treatment, or the growth of a tumour. This, in the UK, is its main purpose.

The argument against the use of PSA as a screening test was always the cost / benefit ratio.
It used to be a relatively expensive assay, and you'd have to screen an awful lot of men to detect a small number of cancers. You'd also detect a number of men who are 'normal' but with raised PSA levels.
I /think/ there may also have been an argument that PSA will also detect benign tumours that do not need to be treated.

The USanian health care system does like to play Clinical Bingo (get lots of numbers and see if a disease can be found) there may be a reason for that but it e$cape$ me for the moment.

The predecessor to PSA was dirt cheap as regards reagents, fairly good for screening, but could not be automated - hence unsuitable and too costly for the 21st century (and you had to avoid nookie for a few days before)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 15 March, 2023, 09:06:57 pm
My understanding is that the US "health" system generally does something because there is money to be made from it. This, apparently, is the main reason that so many USAnian men are circumcised. Nothing to do with religion or health: it's just that doctors get paid for doing it so they wholeheartedly recommend it to their patients.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Nuncio on 21 March, 2023, 01:30:12 pm
I've never had a PSA test but I did once have a man called Rupert stick his finger up my bum.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 March, 2023, 01:31:42 pm
I've never had a PSA test but I did once have a man called Rupert stick his finger up my bum.

Is that where the Sun shone from?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Nuncio on 21 March, 2023, 01:51:15 pm
Ha! Different Rupert, I think, though I did have my back to him most of the time.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Pingu on 21 March, 2023, 02:17:38 pm
I've never had a PSA test but I did once have a man called Rupert stick his finger up my bum.

How did you bear that?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Nuncio on 21 March, 2023, 04:18:05 pm
I don't know. It was a grizzly experience.

Truly terrible jokes belong elsewhere...
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 24 March, 2023, 12:49:32 pm
A little NHS labelled package has just arrived....
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Pingu on 24 March, 2023, 11:00:01 pm
Me too also  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 24 March, 2023, 11:06:27 pm
Oh sorry.  Did I miss address my sample?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: andrewc on 06 April, 2023, 11:41:26 pm
A little NHS labelled package has just arrived....


And negative again  :thumbsup:



Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Pingu on 06 April, 2023, 11:48:27 pm
 :thumbsup:

I eventually got around to doing mine and posting it yesterday (do you know how difficult it is to poo in a post box?  :-X )
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jurek on 07 April, 2023, 01:31:29 pm
Popped my poo in the post last weekend.
Had a 'NFA required' letter a couple of days ago.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Lightning Phil on 07 April, 2023, 01:53:06 pm
Shouldn’t it be poost ?

I had the PSA test during my healthy over 40s check about 9 years ago.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Pingu on 15 April, 2023, 05:26:07 pm
:thumbsup:

I eventually got around to doing mine and posting it yesterday (do you know how difficult it is to poo in a post box?  :-X )


Passed the poo test  :)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 15 April, 2023, 06:25:49 pm
I hate to be a gloom merchant, but a word of warning.
My brother passed the poo test, but was diagnosed with colon cancer less than a year later.  They estimated that he'd had it for at least 10 years.  ::-).
Died about 5 years later.

They don't suggest that the test is a guarantee,  just a useful guide.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 15 April, 2023, 06:42:41 pm
I don't think any of these tests offer a cast-iron guarantee. They just push the statistics in the right direction.

A while back, on a FB cycling group, I got a load of stick from some USAnians over my attitude to cycling headgear. Then a short while later in the same thread, someone asked about whether he should cycle before having a PSA test because he was worried it might affect the result. Again, I mentioned that I had never had a PSA test, and got stick for that. It's one of those standard things that for-profit health care systems tend to do, because doctors get paid extra for doing them (or so I understand from my daughter). But the results from them are relatively unreliable.

In the UK, we routinely test for 3 types of cancer: bowel, cervix & breast. Apparently those tests are reliable enough to push the statistics in the right direction. It would appear that there are too many random factors in PSA tests.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: mzjo on 15 April, 2023, 08:59:01 pm
As I understand it, at least from the french view of screening, both PSA and "poo sticks" are only a warning to get further investigation. Family history and precedents seem to play a big part in what happens (as does how serious your GP in following up things. I was aware that I was a candidate for coloscopy due to my dad's colo-rectal but my GP at the time had little interest in following up and pushing me when I refused to go private. My new GP made it a condition of her accepting me as a patient, to be repeated at regular intervals!).
In my case a slightly raised PSA was sufficient reason to see a man with a white coat and a long finger. He is just following up with annual screening and the threat of an echo (I think echo-sound IIRC) if he thought things had deteriorated. It seems to be a bit on his assessment, my last bloods were in the range for further investigation but he evidently hasn't thought it necessary.
The coloscopy was done about 10 years after it was due. I have never done the poo thing as I was always on a coloscopy protocol due to family history. I had seven polyps removed but the surgeon said that he saw nothing worrying in them and I have not been informed of anything worrying from the biopsy. However he has said no more than 3 years between coloscopies (due to family history) instead of the 5 year interval proposed by the GP).
I don't know if the french attitude to screening is better than the UK but I seem to know quite a few cancer survivors, bowel and prostate (mainly in the cycling club!)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Auntie Helen on 16 April, 2023, 06:58:14 am
Germany seems to have a very high rate of bowel cancer (some link it to excessive cured meat consumption) so poo sticks start at 50 and you can have a colonoscopy every 5 years if you want one, more regularly if you have family history.

I was offered one a few months ago but turned down that fun as there’s no family history and I didn’t see the need. Poo sticks must have come back ok as I didn’t hear anything (in Germany no news is good news, they don’t inform you of a negative result).

Germany used to do cervical smears every year, now it’s every 3 years for those without an HPV infection.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 10 May, 2023, 05:45:41 pm
An anecdote about poo sticks.

Today I met a man in endoscopy recovery who had done a poo stick test, that was flagged up. Had an endoscopy and as a result of that some removal of stuff and some radio therapy.

Today he was very happy as he got his all clear.

(In case you are wondering, I got green pee, it brightened up the day)
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: hellymedic on 10 May, 2023, 08:12:23 pm
Fluoroscein?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 May, 2023, 08:18:17 pm
An anecdote about poo sticks.

Today I met a man in endoscopy recovery who had done a poo stick test, that was flagged up. Had an endoscopy and as a result of that some removal of stuff and some radio therapy.

Today he was very happy as he got his all clear.

(In case you are wondering, I got green pee, it brightened up the day)

A beautiful pee-green boat?
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 10 May, 2023, 10:07:28 pm
Fluoroscein?

It was whatever they spray in a colonoscopy, to show up bad things, I’m not sure what it is.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Jaded on 10 May, 2023, 10:07:59 pm
An anecdote about poo sticks.

Today I met a man in endoscopy recovery who had done a poo stick test, that was flagged up. Had an endoscopy and as a result of that some removal of stuff and some radio therapy.

Today he was very happy as he got his all clear.

(In case you are wondering, I got green pee, it brightened up the day)

A beautiful pee-green boat?

I’ve got a photo…  ;D
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Vernon on 10 May, 2023, 10:33:35 pm
An anecdote about poo sticks.

Today I met a man in endoscopy recovery who had done a poo stick test, that was flagged up. Had an endoscopy and as a result of that some removal of stuff and some radio therapy.

Today he was very happy as he got his all clear.

(In case you are wondering, I got green pee, it brightened up the day)

A beautiful pee-green boat?

I’ve got a photo…  ;D
Is it wrapped up in a five pound note?
"What a beautiful Pussy you are, you are. What a beautiful Pussy you are."
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Adam on 06 June, 2023, 12:11:33 pm
I'm on the list!!

I've received a letter (dated on the day I turned 60) giving me advance notice of the kit turning up.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: yorkie on 26 June, 2023, 02:45:40 pm
I am likewise on the list, letter dated 9 days after my 56th birthday.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Feanor on 17 July, 2023, 05:09:57 pm
I'm currently on a second follow-up round of chemo.
It's knocked the stuffing out of me more this time than last time.
I've been off the bike mostly for the last few months.

But I have a brief pause in the treatment cycles for the moment.
The course of treatment is 8 cycles, each lasting 3 weeks.
They do a scan after #3 and #6 to monitor progress.
So I've just had my cycle #6 scan, and am waiting for the results.
At this point, they do a risk / benefit analysis to determine if they want to do the remaining 2 cycles.

This gives me a break of a few weeks.

So I decided to try one of my old hill running routes yesterday.
As a hilly 15k, a tad over-ambitious, but I'm no deid yet...

https://www.strava.com/activities/9462152298
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Regulator on 11 September, 2023, 12:07:53 pm
Now that I have turned 56, an invitation from the regional Bowel Cancer Screening programme to join the Poo Sticks Fraternity arrived over the weekend. 

Funnily enough, it was shortly after I had reminded my GP practice that I hadn't had a screening for about 5 years (I'm supposed to have one annually as I'm at high risk).
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: T42 on 11 September, 2023, 02:19:37 pm
I've fallen off the end of the poo-prodders' age-bracket: by the time it could develop into hypernasties I'll be older than average life expectancy in this fair land.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Basil on 11 September, 2023, 02:25:48 pm
Seems to be every two years here. So next time I'm due I'll be 76
Except that I won't be due, because I'll be 76.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: tonyh on 11 September, 2023, 03:34:03 pm
I've had several beyond 76 - I just had to phone and ask.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: nicknack on 11 September, 2023, 03:54:51 pm
Mine came in the post at the weekend. Now awaiting a convenient dump.
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: Lightning Phil on 11 September, 2023, 04:46:48 pm
Best not during an inconvenient dump  :o
Title: Re: Poo sticks
Post by: robgul on 11 September, 2023, 05:18:06 pm
Seems to be every two years here. So next time I'm due I'll be 76
Except that I won't be due, because I'll be 76.

Hmm - I'm 76 . . . and when I was looking at the NHS "well man" or whatever they call it check-up/tests I found that it only runs to 74.   I'll be making a GP appt about some possible minor skin cancer-ish things so I'll ask and see what's available.