New bowel cancer self-referral service launches pilot in Bridgwater

A brand-new service that makes it easier for people to get checked for bowel cancer has launched in Bridgwater.

The new service is open to people aged 40-49, who are registered with a local GP in Somerset.

Every year, over 2,500 people under the age of 50 are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK. It is often harder to diagnose through the traditional referral via a GP, with 1 in 4 people being diagnosed as an emergency, and often at the latest stage.

The main symptoms of bowel cancer include:

• Bleeding from your bottom
• Blood in your poo
• A change in your toilet habits – you might be going more or less often, or have diarrhoea/constipation
• Losing weight
• Stomach pains.

Traditionally, people would contact their GP if they had concerns, and they would provide a faecal immunochemical test (FIT), which is a test that looks for blood in the poo, even if it’s too small for the naked eye. If the test is positive, it will indicate that there is bleeding and further investigations are required.

Our colorectal project team has been working with innovative cancer detection specialists, C the Signs, to use its cancer detection platform to develop a first-of-its-kind online referral form which allows people to check their symptoms.

All patients who are eligible will then be sent a FIT, and the NHS team will then ensure that the results of the FIT are shared with the patient, and if required, further investigations arranged.

Rosie Edgerley, our cancer programme manager, says: “Our data showed that there are younger people being diagnosed with late-stage bowel cancer in Somerset, with the highest proportion being in the Bridgwater area.

“We also know that it can be embarrassing for people to talk about their pooing habits with a healthcare professional, which is why we are working with a company called C the Signs to develop an easily accessible online referral form which checks people’s eligibility and allows them to complete a FIT test, which if positive, will lead to further investigations.”

Miss Shelly Griffiths, one of our consultant colorectal surgeons, who’s also been involved with the project, says: “This new service is an easy way for people to seek help for a problem with their bowels, without having to make an appointment to see their GP.

“We know that the earlier we find a problem, the more able we are to treat it, and we would encourage anyone with concerns to use this new service.”

C the Signs is a cancer prediction system that can identify patients at risk of cancer at the earliest and most curable stage of the disease. It has now been developed to allow patients with bowel symptoms to access their risk and recommend any appropriate tests.

Using the latest technology, research and evidence, C the Signs enables healthcare providers to give their patients the best chance of surviving cancer.

Dr Bea Bakshi, CEO and co-founder of C the Signs, adds: “At C the Signs, we are committed to simplifying the pathway to cancer detection and making it more accessible for patients.

“This initiative allows people to monitor their own symptoms and access crucial tests without the usual hurdles.

“By providing this direct route, we are ensuring more timely follow-up care, which can make all the difference in catching cancer earlier and improving outcomes.”

On average, 10-15% of people who complete a FIT test have a positive result and will require further investigation. This does not mean that cancer has been found, in fact, 96% of people with a positive result will not have cancer.

“In recent years there was a feeling that we were seeing more young people diagnosed with bowel cancer. This was supported by evidence presented to me showing higher rates of bowel cancer in some areas of the county,” adds Dr Harry Smallwood, a GP and clinical director for the Bridgwater Bay Primary Care Network.

“The new pilot means we can increase access to this simple test and investigate patients faster, while freeing up GP appointments for other conditions.

“Seeing blood in the bowel motions can often be a frightening and embarrassing experience and one that patients can put off seeking advice for, hoping it will go away.

“Even if the test is positive it does not always mean a patient will have bowel cancer, there are many benign reasons why blood may be present, but firstly we want to exclude the cancer and investigate and treat patients faster, so they’re more likely to have a better outcome.”

The new self-referral service will be made available to people in Bridgwater and surrounding areas in several ways, including supermarket pop-ups, local businesses, workplace events (including Hinkley Point C) and localised advertising placements.

Patients can text, for free, the word ‘poo’ to 82228 or visit our website to access the self-referral form: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/cancer/somerset-bowel-service/