Scheme helps people who don't like talking about poo

A self-referral service is hoping to speed up the diagnosis of bowel cancer by making it easier for younger people to get checked, without the need to speak to their GP.

Since its launch in November, an online form has already allowed almost 200 people in Somerset to seek help for bowel problems.

Around 75% of young people in the county with bowel cancer receive the diagnosis at a late stage - above the national average of 50%, NHS data shows.

The consultant in charge of the service said he hoped the scheme would encourage people who do not like speaking about their bowel movements to come forward.

Every year, more than 2,500 people under the age of 50 are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK.

On a traditional track to a diagnosis, patients would first speak to their GP and could be asked to provide a poo sample which would go through a faecal immunochemical test (FIT).

The test can trace the tiniest amount of blood and, if positive, further investigations are booked in.

The new system allows patients between the ages of 40 and 49 to check their eligibility for a FIT test without a GP appointment.

The scheme was initially available to patients registered with a GP in Bridgwater and has recently been extended to Yeovil, with hopes to extend it across Somerset by March 2026.

NHS data showed the highest proportion of young people being diagnosed with late-stage bowel cancer in the county was in the Bridgwater area.

Consultant colorectal surgeon, Richard Bamford, said: "We know that people don't like talking about poo, they get a bit embarrassed by it... it's not something which is easy to do.

"We also know that people are busy and it's difficult, with the pressure our primary colleagues are under, to get to a GP practice when you need it."

He added earlier detection could lead to better outcomes and treatment, with less invasive techniques and earlier recovery.

Joanne Hull, 44, used the service five months ago by self-referring on Facebook when she noticed she was going to the toilet more frequently.

"I was scared and anxious about why [it was happening], then I had a pre-assessment by telephone, another call to arrange for a colonoscopy and that was arranged in January," she said.

Doctors found polyps (abnormal tissue growth) in Ms Hull's intestines. They were removed and taken for a biopsy, where they were found to be benign.

If left, there is a chance they could have developed into cancer.

"Having gone through it, I would recommend the scheme to anyone because it is certainly going to be a preventative measure for me going forward," she said.

"If I hadn't gone through it, who knows what would have happened in the next few years," she added.

The NHS lists the main symptoms of bowel cancer as including:

• Bleeding from your bottom
• Blood in your poo
• A change in your toilet habits – going more or less often, or having diarrhoea or constipation
• Losing weight
• Stomach pains

Online referrals have been signposted to people in a number of ways, including at supermarket pop-ups, local businesses, workplace events (including Hinkley Point C) and localised advertising placements.

Patients can text the word poo for free to 82228 for more information, or find the self-referral form online.

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