Hello and thanks for posting,

The bowel screening programme is being expanded gradually. Data is obtained from GP surgeries to create invite letters, and this happens in pulses, as the new system capacity allows. So, it is likely that he will hear soon. GP surgeries do not provide screening kits, but issue kits when patients contact them with symptoms, as that system is different. 

He can contact the NHS Bowel Screening Helpline in England on 0800 707 6060. They will be able to advise further. 

Best wishes,

Vanda

You can buy testing kits in boots , not that expensive i think i noticed them the other day 

Hello and thank you for your post.

I am afraid that it is not recommended to buy and use a bowel cancer testing kit. 

If you have symptoms, do go to see your GP, who may give you an NHS bowel screening kit. If you have no symptoms, then wait for the NHS kit to be posted to you.

Take care,

Caroline

I actually have bowel cancer which has been removed and i have a stoma fitted, yet i have been sent a bowel testing kit there seems to be a lack of communication somewhere 

Hello and thanks for your post,

I am sorry to hear about this situation. If your friend continues to have symptoms then do go back to the GP or another GP in the practice.

As my colleague Nurse Caroline said we can't recommend bowel screening kits that you buy yourself as we can't say whether they will be reliable or not.

This is what Bowel Cancer UK say about at-home self-tests

'Private screening tests are at-home self-tests sold by private companies that test for blood in your poo and return a positive, negative, or invalid result. Also called commercial screening tests, they can be bought in pharmacies, online, and in some shops and supermarkets. These tests are not approved for NHS screening and unlike NHS test companies they don't have to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).'

I hope this helps.

All the best,

Catherine

Depends on your age, and why should you believe that because you have already had bowel cancer this somehow excludes you from it from henceforth. l post this as one that has gone through stage four bowel cancer with stoma reversal

They sent me a bowel testing kit but I still have a stoma on top of that i  have issues with my join  When they removed the cancer

I have just finished my 5 weeks(25 rounds) of radiotherapy and waiting on surgery and I also just received a bowel screening kit...I was like too late  

Pleasr may I ask you, is the reversal as hard going as the op.  I'm waiting on op and been told ill be out of action for about 6 weeks. And will then have the reversal if all heals OK. Tanks x