LATEST STORY
Tue 15 Jun 2010
POCL Bowel Cancer Screening Test featured in Zest Magazine

Zest Magazine's resident health expert, Dr Pixie McKenna, recommends POCL's bowel cancer screening test in July's edition - "The 6 health tests every woman should have"

Your Bowel Health

The Test - Point Of Care Bowel Cancer Screening Test, £19.98 (www.pocl.co.uk)

Why - Because you're more at risk of bowel cancer than cervical cancer.  OK, so the majority of cases are in the over-60's, but considering it's the second most common cancer in women and it's hard to spot the signs, it's worth thinking about doing a test - especially if your toilet habits have changed recently or you have a family history of the disease.  "It has very few early symptoms so this test really could save your life", says Pixie.  Don't die of embarrassment - early intervention makes all the difference.  Currently 90% of people who are diagnosed in the earliest stages of bowel cancer are treated successfully.

How - "This test is a bit more expensive than most, but it's much more accurate,' says Pixie.  'You send off small stool samples, taken over three days, and they're screened in a lab for hidden blood - one of the most common but difficult to spot signs of bowel cancer.  It's the same method that's used in the NHS but you don't have the awkwardness of handing over your stool sample to the receptionist".  Of course, a positive result requires a follow-up with your doctor."

Source - Zest Magazine July Edition, pages 40-41