Return Your Stool Sample A.S.A.P!

Often a clinician may ask you to have a stool sample done. Whilst this may commonly be requested in the case of gastrointestinal or other health issues it is also needed if a doctor suspects cancer.

It is a requirement that a stool sample needs to be collected and the results received 21 days before a referral for suspected cancer can be done. Failure to return tests in a timely manner can impede patients receiving a quick diagnosis and slow down the process of receiving treatment.

In the case of a FIT test (bowel cancer screening) your doctor will immediately refer you for this test which you will receive in the post soon after. Once you have completed it, please return it as soon as possible. Early diagnosis leads to more chances of treatments being successful which leads to more lives being saved from cancer.

If your GP has requested that you send off a stool sample, don’t delay, do it and send it off today!

Even if your doctor has requested a stool sample for a more general reason it is still important that you return it as soon as you are able.

What is a stool test?

Stool is also sometimes called faeces or poo, it contains bacteria and other substances that are in the digestive system. By testing the levels of these substances and bacteria in your stool, it’s possible to work out what’s happening in your digestive system.

There are many different types of stool tests, to check for bowel cancer, gastrointestinal infections and other health conditions.

What type of stool test can look for bowel cancer?

An immunochemical faecal occult blood test, FIT or iFOBT, is used for bowel cancer screening It is a simple ‘at home’ test that looks for small amounts of blood in your poo, which can indicate bowel cancer. The aim is to find cancers early.

The kit is quick to complete and can be done in the privacy of your own bathroom using the step-by-step instructions on the box. You only need to collect one tiny sample of poo using the plastic stick provided, pop it in the sample bottle and post it for free, to be tested.

For instructions on how to use this kit check out the video below.

It is a requirement that a stool sample needs to be collected and the results received 21 days before a referral for suspected cancer can be done. Failure to return tests in a timely manner can impede patients receiving a quick diagnosis and slow down the process of receiving treatment.

In the case of a FIT test (bowel cancer screening) your doctor will immediately refer you for this test which you will receive in the post soon after. Once you have completed it, please return it as soon as possible. Early diagnosis leads to more chances of treatments being successful which leads to more lives being saved from cancer.

If your GP has requested that you send off a stool sample, don’t delay, do it and send it off today!

Even if your doctor has requested a stool sample for a more general reason it is still important that you return it as soon as you are able.

What is a stool test?

Stool is also sometimes called faeces or poo, it contains bacteria and other substances that are in the digestive system. By testing the levels of these substances and bacteria in your stool, it’s possible to work out what’s happening in your digestive system.

There are many different types of stool tests, to check for bowel cancer, gastrointestinal infections and other health conditions.

What type of stool test can look for bowel cancer?

An immunochemical faecal occult blood test, FIT or iFOBT, is used for bowel cancer screening It is a simple ‘at home’ test that looks for small amounts of blood in your poo, which can indicate bowel cancer. The aim is to find cancers early.

The kit is quick to complete and can be done in the privacy of your own bathroom using the step-by-step instructions on the box. You only need to collect one tiny sample of poo using the plastic stick provided, pop it in the sample bottle and post it for free, to be tested.

For instructions on how to use this kit check out the video below.

If the test shows you have blood in your faeces, you will need to have more testing to see what is causing it — it’s not always due to cancer.

Even if you have no symptoms as part of the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, patients aged 50+* to 74 are automatically sent a simple home testing kit every two years from NHS England to collect a small sample of poo to be checked for tiny amounts of blood which may be caused by cancer. The simple FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) kit is also available to those aged 75+ by calling the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

If something is found, you will be invited to have further tests, usually at a hospital.

What other kinds of stool tests are there?

Stool microscopy and culture can identify bacteria, viruses or parasites that might cause gastroenteritis.

• Clostridium difficile (also known as C. diff) is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhoea after taking antibiotics.
• Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.

In the majority of cases, gastroenteritis tends to improve on its own without requiring any tests. However, your doctor may deem it necessary to refer you for certain tests under specific circumstances. These circumstances include experiencing diarrhoea for an extended period or if blood is present in your stool. Additionally, if you have recently travelled abroad or if there is a possibility of your involvement in an outbreak, your doctor may also recommend these tests.

If the test shows bacteria or a parasite, you may need to take medicine for it. If nothing is detected on the test but your symptoms continue, see your doctor.

Or there are other stool tests which are sometimes done to diagnose or monitor certain health conditions. Here are some examples:

• Faecal calprotectin – This assessment is designed to evaluate inflammation in the bowel and assist your doctor in diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, it can serve as a useful tool for monitoring the extent of inflammation during flare-ups.
• Faecal elastase and fat — these can be tested to check if your pancreas is working properly. Your doctor might ask you to do this test, if there are signs that you are not absorbing food well.

If your doctor has asked you to do a stool sample for infection or monitoring health conditions you will be given the appropriate form and asked to collect a stool sample bottle from the reception desk.

How to collect a stool sample:

• Pee First, you must try and avoid contaminating your stool sample with urine so it’s best to pee before you collect your sample.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water and dry them before you start.
• Label the container with your name, date of birth and the date (with a label provided or write your details on the container).
• place something in the toilet to catch the stool, such an empty clean plastic container.
• make sure the stool sample doesn’t touch the inside of the toilet.
• using the container provided to you aim to fill around a third of it – that’s about the size of a walnut, you may find it easier to use a disposable spoon to place the stool in the container.
• put anything you used to collect the stool sample in a plastic bag, tie it up and put it the bin.
• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water and then dry them once done.

Here are some tips to make collecting your poo a bit easier. Why not practise and work out which method you find the easiest? Don’t forget, do not let your poo touch the water or toilet!

The sample will need to be taken to the laboratory as soon as possible. You may need to store the sample in the fridge until you deliver it.

Please see below for the sample collection times for your surgery.

(if your sample cannot be refrigerated you must return it to the surgery before the days courier collection time otherwise it will no longer be able to be analysed and you will need to take another sample)

How will I get results of my stool test?

If you have done a faecal occult blood test, you should get your results in the mail about 2 weeks later. Your results will also be sent to your doctor, if you nominated them on the form, you sent in with the sample. If your test is positive, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss what to do next.

For any other stool test, you can get the results from your doctor. It’s very important to talk to your doctor about your test results.