Bowel cancer screening reintroduced in Guernsey

Tuesday 25 July 2023

Bowel Cancer Guernsey has welcomed the reintroduction of bowel cancer screening, as Health and Social Care start distributing Faecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT) across the island.

The initiative has been aimed at people between the ages of 60 and 70. They'll receive home test kits and those in the target demographic will be invited to the programme every two years.

More than 500 people have already received their home kits. 

The programme was paused after COVID-19 saw waiting lists for colonoscopies skyrocket. This procedure was given priority because those on the list had a higher chance of being diagnosed with cancer.

HSC said: "The FIT kit is sent to a person’s home and the person will collect a small sample of their poo using a brush which is supplied in the kit.

"The sample is then sent back to the Guernsey Pathology Laboratory for analysis and if human blood is detected then the person is invited for an assessment with a Bowel Cancer Screening Nurse. After this, most will be offered a colonoscopy so that the reason for the blood can be diagnosed."

Anne Brouard is the Chair for Bowel Cancer Guernsey, she said: "We are delighted that screening has been reintroduced and that islanders can once again have access to this vital free service.  

"Prevention and early detection save lives and we urge those who are eligible to utilise the home testing kits as soon as possible after they receive one. We have been waiting for this important screening programme to re-commence and the FIT kits are a positive step in detecting blood in your poo which if found, may lead to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of bowel cancer as soon as possible."

Pictured top: (L-R) Members of Bowel Cancer Guernsey and Public Health packing test kits - Diane Matthews, Sara Gould, Anne Brouard and Tracy Smale.