Disclaimer, I'm not trained medical procfessional, so this is not advice, simply my views on the matter.
All I would ask is to please read the information out there and form your own opinion. I can appreciate my view will not be entirely
subjective, albeit at the same time I see the impact where it can occur, I also see a disconnect betweeen current guidelines vs trends and
profiles of those being identified with bowel cancer.
I could quote the
numbers which show the value in being tested early. Given there is not a cure for cancer
earlier identification gives a much higher liklihood of a curative route, i.e. cutting out the
tumorous cells. I knew these facts but was not concerned due to my age and lack of symptoms. If that applies
to you, please read my story to see I was symptomless like many others, rates of colon cancer are rising
amongst younger people and have been for some time.
If I knew what I know now about the trends in colon cancer amongst younger people, coupled with existing knowledge
and the need to identify cancer early, I'd have got tested. The cost to be tested and it being false is really not much
compared to the cost of being late diagnosed... I would also consider when to re-test also, given emergence rates.
I understand that bowel cancer takes many years to progress, however this is a general rule and I would remember the trade off between
identfiication and likely success of treatment thereafter.
When to start testing, I have signed petitions to bring the screening age down to 30. Also being mindful that cases
come up prior to 30 and so
for fully mitigation there's probably a case for an early test to be carried out also. I expect there would be a number of routes
worth exploring for testing, including via NHS, private health insurance, company support or self funding.
Cancer Research UK
when refering to incidents by age rightly call out the potential influence that age and frequency of testing could
inlfuence this. Indeed it would be interesting to see the testing #s by age to try account for this effect.
In any case I think it's fair to say that if testing frequency was steady by age the chart of incidents by age would shift
to the left and probably noticeably.
REMEMBER earlier action is the best form of prevention and so please take a look through the numbers
and look into earlier testing. Whilst the age is being reduced, 50 is still along while to wait.
I was aged 44 upon diagnosis of stage 4 cancer....
- bowelcanceruk.org.uk - Quite a nice suctcinct summary and on eligibility
Bowel cancer screening
- Compare the tests - A site which could help if considering taking an early paid test option
Compare the tests
