Hi and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to learn that your friend is sadly dying, this must be a difficult time.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recommend home testing kits as these aren't always reliable or accurate. As you are having symptoms I would encourage you to keep persisting in getting an appointment with your GP. They may need to physically examine you and organise you to do stool samples such as a FIT (faecal immunochemical test), or one to rule out infection, as well as blood tests. These will need to be done before the GP can refer you for further tests to the hospital if necessary, to rule out cancer.  Because the blood and stool samples will go to the local pathologists to be tested, this means both the GP and the team at the hospital will be able to see your results, talk things through with you, and plan the best way forward.

When making an appointment at the GP, it is worth telling the receptionist that you are concerned about cancer and they will get an appointment for you as soon as possible. If you continue to find it difficult to get an appointment it may also be worth contacting the practice manager for advice. This link will take you to the patient associations' information about getting the best out of your GP appointment. Bowel Cancer UK also has some information about visiting your GP here.

The screening programme sends a bowel testing kit  (FIT ) to people who can take part every 2 years. The FIT test looks for traces of blood in the stool. The aim is to find cancer early or early changes in the bowel, that may lead to cancer.

Currently, in England, you will receive a Kit if you are between the ages of 60 and 74. However, NHS England is now expanding the age group to also invite people between the ages of 50 and 59. So things are changing and they are starting to invite younger people, but this will take some time before it is rolled out fully. In Wales people are screened between the ages of 51 and 74, in Scotland it is between the ages of 50 and 74 and in Northern Ireland it is still between the ages of 60 and 74.

I hope this is useful. Do speak to your GP about your symptoms and I hope you can get an appointment soon. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Take care, all the best 

Jemma

Thank you very much Jemma.

I shall keep on at the GP then.