A flush of success at sample time

CRITICS of this column have occasionally expressed the view that the weekly offering is going down the toilet.

- Robert Lloyd

In my defence, I will declare that the times when it does descend to the lavatorial are very necessary diversions... and in the public (health) interest.

This week’s offering may not be for the squeamish. In which case, you have my permission to turn the page now.

If you're going to stick with it, then let's talk about bowel screening.

Yes, you can get all embarrassed and say bowel screening is not for you, but you will, of course, miss the opportunity of the possible early detection of bowel cancer.

Bowel screening in Wales aims to find bowel cancer early, before symptoms even appear, when treatment is most likely to be effective.

This significantly increases the chances of survival, as at least nine out of 10 people survive if it’s detected and treated early.

People aged 50 to 74 who are registered with a GP in Wales are invited to participate in bowel screening every two years.

I can put a big tick in the box here as I’m on my third lap (so to speak) of the bowel screening cycle.

The testing kit landed through my letterbox on Monday and (thanks to a well-behaved digestion system) it was back in the hands of the Royal Mail sorting office on Tuesday afternoon.

Job done, if you pardon the expression!

Having sounded out family and friends (of a certain age), the exact mechanics of giving a stool (poo) sample can vary.

But the general theme tends to be: read the helpful instructions which come with the kit and find a system that works for you.