Test / Diagnostic Procedure: Bowel Cancer Screening

A common myth about bowel cancer is that it only affects the elderly. Regular early screening helps with primary prevention, and treatment from this common cancer. Pricing from: £2,090. Asymptomatic patients can self-refer; patients with symptoms can consult their GP and obtain a referral.

Overview

Why is bowel screening important?

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. It is a cancer of the large intestine and forms in the lining of the bowel, occurring in both men and women, although more common in men. Risk of bowel cancer increases with age, with steep increases in people aged over 50.

Most cases of bowel cancer begin as small clusters of cells called polyps (non-cancerous growths) which form in the lining of the bowel. During a screening test a gastroenterologist is searching for these polyps which can usually be removed, to lower the risk of bowel cancer developing.

Survival rates are close to 100%, if the disease is spotted in the early stages. But this rate drops significantly as the disease develops. So, regular screening tests can help to prevent bowel cancer and save lives.


What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?

The main symptoms of bowel cancer are:

  • Bleeding from your rectum and/or blood in your stool
  • A change in bowel habit that lasts for 3 weeks or more, especially looser/runny stool
  • Unexplained loss of appetite or weight loss
  • Unexplained extreme tiredness, or shortness of breath
  • Pain in your stomach
  • Lump in your stomach

It may seem surprising that tiredness and breathlessness are included in the list of symptoms, but these can be indicators of anaemia, which can present due to loss of blood from a bowel tumour.

None of the above symptoms mean that you definitely have bowel cancer, but you should always refer to a specialist to get peace of mind, which is exactly what a colonoscopy offers.


Gold standard in bowel screening

A variety of screening options are currently available to help prevent or identify bowel cancer in its earliest stages. Methods like flexible sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, double contrast barium enema, and faecal occult blood tests can detect the presence of cancer cells, but a positive result means that further tests and procedures will be needed. So, these approaches are valuable but often inconclusive.

A colonoscopy is considered the gold standard in bowel cancer screening. Research has shown the superiority of a colonoscopy over other screening tests, with one bowel cancer incidence prevented for every 28 colonoscopies performed.

A thorough colonoscopy offers:

  • Prevention: Your doctor can give you an “all-clear” on the day if no polyps or adenomas are found during the colonoscopy.
  • Treatment: Your doctor can usually remove small polyps during the colonoscopy so they will not develop into cancer.
  • Diagnosis: If your doctor finds any suspicious growths, they will take a biopsy sample and send this immediately to the lab for further testing.

Regular colonoscopies should begin at age 45 for people with an average rate of developing bowel cancer. If you have a family history of polyps or bowel cancer, then you may be advised to get your first colonoscopy at age 40 or earlier.

The frequency of screening tests will depend on the individual’s medical history and risk factors. And, once begun the screening test should be repeated from one to every ten years.

At OneWelbeck Digestive Health, our highly experienced bowel cancer specialists perform a range of procedures within comfortable settings. They can advise you on which screening methods are right for you.


Are there less invasive options?

  • While a colonoscopy is the gold standard for preventative screening, we understand that some people might be hesitant about booking this procedure. The good news is that FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) is also an option, and one that you can do at home. If there is blood in your stool, this can indicate the presence of abnormalities in the bowel, so by providing a stool sample specialists can identify possible signs of bowel disease. If a positive FIT result is obtained, then you will be referred for further investigation by colonoscopy.
  • FIT can be used in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients – to order an at-home FIT kit for £60 please call 020 3653 2009, or email clinical.digestivehealth@onewelbeck.com.

Test/diagnostic pricing

Colonoscopy price from £2,090


Enquire now

Test/diagnostic
Overview

Average time of test

15 - 30 minutes

Any prep needed?

Bowel preparation to empty your colon of stool i...

Post-test recovery

You may have mild cramping or bloating which pas...

Price

From £2090

Image

Self-Pay Available

This treatment is available for self-paying users. If you would like to see more information on pricing visit our pricing and payments page.

Image

Self Referral

No doctor referral needed in order to book this service, although health insurers may require a referral in order for your treatment to be covered.

Image

Fixed Price Package

For peace of mind, this service or treatment is available for an all-inclusive fixed price package.

Image

Payment Plan

Set up a monthly payment plan to spread the cost of your treatment. Find out more about our payment plans.

Bowel Cancer Screening Specialists

We have brought together a group of leading colorectal and general surgeons and gastroenterologists to create our Digestive Health team. With over 300 years of combined experience, these expert clinicians are the best in their field and are all focused on delivering the very best patient care.

Professor Hemant Kocher

Consultant General and HPB Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disease, Liver Disease, Pancreas Disease, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Liver Surgery, Hernia Surgery, Open Cholecystectomy, Pancreatic Surgery, Gallstones, Liver Cancer, Pancreatitis, Pancreatic Cancer, Complex Hernia Surgery, Abdominal Wall Hernias, Complex Abdominal Wall Hernias, Inguinal Hernia, Liver Metastasis.

Dr Matthew Banks

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Specialist expertise: Acid Reflux, Barrett’s Oesophagus, Colonoscopy, Early Cancer Detection, Endoscopic Ultrasound, Gastroenterology, Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders, Gastrointestinal Medicine, Gastrointestinal Specialty, Endoscopy, Bowel Cancer Screening, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Diarrhoea, HALO Radiofrequency Ablation, Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection, Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy, Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, Colonic Polyps, Abnormal Liver Function, Achalasia, Constipation, Gastrointestinal Cancer.

Dr Ana Wilson

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Specialist expertise: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Gastroenterology, Colonoscopy, Endoscopy, Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, Stricture Dilatation, Radiation Proctopathy, Pelvic Radiation Disease, Lower Anterior Resection Syndrome.

Dr Farooq Rahman

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Specialist expertise: Hepatology, Gastroenterology, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Colonoscopy, Intestinal Failure, Coeliac Disease, Gastrointestinal Cancer, Gastroscopy, Polypectomy, Short Bowel Syndrome.

Ms Sarah Mills

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Trans-anal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS), Abdominal Wall Hernias, Groin Hernias, General Surgery, Colorectal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Anal Fistula, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Colonoscopy, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Minimally Invasive Surgery, Diverticular Disease, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Haemorrhoids, Anal fissure, Rectal Prolapse, Faecal Incontinence, Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia.

Dr Lisa Das

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Specialist expertise: Endoscopy, Colorectal Cancer Screening, Colonoscopy, Gastroenterology, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Emphasis on Women's Healthcare, Therapeutic Endoscopy, Diagnostic Endoscopy, Bowel Cancer Screening, Capsule Endoscopy, Gastroscopy, Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, Advanced Polypectomy, Abnormal Liver Function, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Dyspepsia, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, General Hepatology, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy, Polypectomy, Rectal Bleeding, Functional Gut Disorders, Obesity, Coeliac Disease, Helicobacter Pylori Infection, Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Mr Janindra Warusavitarne

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Intestinal Failure, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Anal Fistula, Haemorrhoids, Colorectal Cancer, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Minimally Invasive Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Ileoanal Pouch Surgery, Complex Hernia Surgery, Complex Abdominal Wall Hernias, Crohn's Disease, Diverticular Disease, Pelvic Floor Diseases.

Mr Alexander Von Roon

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Colorectal Cancer, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Proctology, Complex Hernia Surgery, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Ileoanal Pouch Surgery, Intestinal Failure, Abdominal Wall Hernias, Haemorrhoids, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Colonic Polyps, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticular Disease, Anal Fistula, Anal fissure, Pilonidal Sinus, Inguinal Hernia, Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disease, Skin Lesions, Femoral Hernia.

Mr Alex Leo

Consultant General Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery, Anal Fistula, Haemorrhoids, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Minimally Invasive Surgery, Laser Surgery, Inguinal Hernia, Complex Hernia Surgery, Complex Abdominal Wall Hernias, Faecal Incontinence, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Anal fissure, Constipation, Sacral Neuromodulation, Obstructive Defecation Syndrome, Pilonidal Sinus.

Dr Devinder Bansi

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Specialist expertise: Diagnostic Endoscopy, Therapeutic Endoscopy, Bowel Cancer Screening, Investigation and Management of Reflux, Abdominal Pain, Diarrhoea, Gastroenterology, Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders, Gastrointestinal Medicine, Gastrointestinal Specialty, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Management of Acid-Related Disorders, Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dyspepsia, Swallowing Disorders, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Disease, Acid-related Disorders.

Professor Long Jiao

Professor of Surgery and Consultant Surgeon in Hepatopancreaticobiliary and General Surgery

Specialist expertise: Minimally Invasive Surgery, Laparoscopic Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery, Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disease, Hepatology, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hernia Repair, Complex Hernia Surgery, Liver Disease, Gallstones, Robotic/Laparoscopic Whipples, Pancreatic Cancer.

Mr Shahnawaz Rasheed

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Abdominal Wall Hernias, Groin Hernias, HIV-related Anal Pathology, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Colorectal Surgery, Robotic Surgery, Colorectal Cancer, Colonoscopy, Bowel Cancer, Rectal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticular Disease, Anal Fistula, Anal fissure, Haemorrhoids, Rectal Bleeding.

Professor Paris Tekkis

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Minimally Invasive Surgery, Robotic Surgery, General Surgery, Anal Fistula, Colonoscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Colorectal Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), HIV-related Anal Pathology, Abdominal Wall Hernias, Hernia Surgery, Colorectal Cancer, Surgery Centre, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Rectal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Anal fissure, Diverticular Disease, Haemorrhoids, Small Bowel Cancer, Recurrent Pelvic Cancer.

Dr Maxton Pitcher

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Specialist expertise: Gastroenterology, Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, Acid Reflux, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Bowel Cancer Screening, Polypectomy, Abdominal Wall Hernias, Abdominal Pain, Indigestion, Rectal Bleeding, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Bowel Cancer, Coeliac Disease, Achalasia, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Dyspepsia, Eosinophilic Oesophagitis, Barrett’s Oesophagus, Colonic Polyps, Oesophageal Dilatation, Oesophageal Cancer, Peptic Ulcer.

Dr John Martin

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Specialist expertise: Colorectal Cancer Screening, Colonoscopy, Luminal Gastroenterology, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gastroenterology, Bowel Cancer Screening, Therapeutic Endoscopy, Advanced Polypectomy, Capsule Endoscopy, Changes in Bowel Habit, Rectal Bleeding, Dyspepsia, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Small Bowel Pathology.

Mr Pasquale Giordano

Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Complex Abdominal Wall Hernias, Crohn's Disease, General Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Colonoscopy, Bowel Cancer, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Constipation, Haemorrhoids, Anal Fistula, Anal fissure, Ulcerative Colitis, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Faecal Incontinence, Rectal Prolapse, Inguinal Hernia, Gallstones.

Dr Evangelos Russo

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Specialist expertise: Therapeutic Colonoscopy, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Gastroenterology, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Acid Reflux, Investigation and Management of Reflux, Advanced Polypectomy, Capsule Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, Gastroscopy, Dyspepsia, Abdominal Pain, Constipation, BRAVO Endoscopy.

Dr Adam Haycock

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Specialist expertise: Therapeutic Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, Bowel Cancer Screening, Gastroenterology, Endoscopy, Advanced Polypectomy, Polypectomy, Gastrointestinal Cancer, Barrett’s Oesophagus, Acid Reflux, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, Stricture Dilatation.

Mr Oliver Warren

Consultant Colorectal and Hernia Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Colorectal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Groin Hernias, Abdominal Wall Hernias, Minimally Invasive Surgery, General Surgery, Colonoscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, HALO Radiofrequency Ablation, Rafaelo Procedure, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Pilonidal Disease, Haemorrhoids, Anal Fistula, Anal fissure, Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Professor Sanjay Purkayastha

Consultant General Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Surgical Management of Type 2 Diabetes, Anti-reflux Surgery, Hernia Surgery, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Robotic Surgery, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Bariatric Surgery, Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomies, Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery, Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Appendicitis, Gallstones, Pancreatitis, Bowel Obstruction, Heartburn, Obesity, Diverticular Disease, Achalasia, Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Disease, Gastroparesis.

Professor Julian Teare

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Specialist expertise: Colonoscopy, Colon Cancer Screening, Abdominal Pain, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Gastroenterology, Diarrhoea, Colonic Polyps.

Mr Gregory Thomas

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Colorectal Surgery, Hernia Repair, Lower Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, General Surgery, Anal Fistula, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Anal fissure, Diverticular Disease, Haemorrhoids, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Pilonidal Disease.

Professor Brian Saunders

Consultant Gastroenterologist and Specialist Endoscopist

Specialist expertise: Diagnostic and Screening Colonoscopy, Advanced Polypectomy, Gastroenterology, Bowel Cancer Screening, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Gastrointestinal Medicine, Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection, Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, Gastroscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Colonoscopy, Advanced Tissue Resection, Colonic Polyps, Dyspepsia, Acid Reflux, Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Capsule Enteroscopy.

Mr James Kinross

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Minimally Invasive Surgery, Colorectal Cancer, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Colorectal Surgery, Abdominal Resection, Bowel Diversion Surgery, Trans-anal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS), Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery, Gut Microbiome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Anal Cancer, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticular Disease, Appendicectomy, Complex Hernia Surgery, Anal Fistula, Faecal Incontinence, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Appendicitis, Bowel Obstruction, Robotic Surgery.

Mr Jonathan Wilson

Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Endoscopy, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, General Surgery, Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disease, Colonoscopy, Groin Hernias, Hernia Repair, Abdominal Wall Hernias, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Anal Fistula, Anal fissure, Colon Cancer, Rectal Cancer, Gallstones, Diverticular Disease, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Changes in Bowel Habit, Rectal Bleeding, Haemorrhoids, Rectal Prolapse, Pilonidal Disease.

Mr Christos Kontovounisios

Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Colorectal Cancer, Pelvic Exenterative Surgery, Pelvic Floor Disorders, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Minimally Invasive Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Robotic Surgery, Reconstructive Pelvic Floor Surgery, Bowel Cancer, Rectal Cancer.

Mr Valerio Celentano

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Ileoanal Pouch Surgery, Endometriosis, Colorectal Surgery, Colorectal Cancer, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Anal Fistula, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Haemorrhoids, General Surgery, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticular Disease.