Bowel cancer is a term used to describe cancer in the colon, rectum or the small bowel.
The symptoms of bowel cancer can include:
- Bleeding from the back passage (rectum) or blood in your stools
- A change in normal bowel habits to diarrhoea or looser stools, lasting longer than 4 to 6 weeks
- A lump that your doctor can feel in your back passage or abdomen (more commonly on the right side)
- A feeling of needing to strain in your back passage (as if you needed to pass a bowel motion)
- Losing weight
- Pain in your abdomen or back passage
- A lower than normal level of red blood cells (anaemia)
Because bowel tumours can bleed, cancer of the bowel often causes a shortage of red blood cells. This is called anaemia and may cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness.
Bowel cancer screening
How do I get a screening kit?
If you are aged 60-69 years, you will be sent your screening invitation automatically through the post. All you need to do is make sure that your GP has your correct address.
‘People aged 70 years and over or under the age of 60, who wish to be screened, should request a kit. Simply telephone the free helpline on 0800 707 60 60.’
Macmillan Cancer Support
Have questions about cancer? Visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call 0808 808 000 free (Monday to Friday 9am – 8pm).
If you are a smoker and would like help to give up, or if you have given up smoking and need some support, a free advice service is available from your local chemist. For more information on help to stop smoking, phone the local free-phone smokers line 0800 587 8821.
Alternatively, please as for a leaflet at reception or click here.
Useful links
Our practice nurse provides a suture removal service for both registered and temporarily registered patients who need to have stitches removed following a surgical procedure.
Led by the Practice Nurses.
The practice is fully involved in the national computerised screening programme. We recommend a smear every 3 years for sexually active women between the ages of 25-49 years and every 5 years for women aged 50-64 years. You will receive an invitation or reminder from Bromley Primary Care Trust who will also send out the results of your smear. Appointments can be made with the practice nurse for screening. A smear test is best done in the middle of your menstrual cycle (between periods), so you need to book your appointment accordingly. General checks are carried out and health promotion advice given. Cervical smears can be carried out routinely by any of the doctors or nurses on a three yearly basis for the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer.
Led by the Practice Nurses in liaison with the doctors.
Our nurses have extensive knowledge and experience in the management of conditions such as diabetes, asthma, chronic heart disease, COPD and high blood pressure. If you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, your GP will involve the practice nurses in your care at the earliest opportunity after your condition has been stabilised. The nurse will then assume responsibility for the monitoring and management of your chronic disease, liaising closely with the hospital/GP as necessary.
Click here for further information on diabetes, asthma, chronic heart disease, COPD and high blood pressure.
In addition, our Healthcare Assistant monitors patients who have straightforward hypertension. She works closely with the doctors and nurses to ensure routine tests are up to date.
These are available each autumn generally commencing at the beginning of October.
This vaccination is free of charge for the elderly and for those patients with chronic conditions such as asthma or hearth disease. Patients considered ‘at risk’ are also offered the pneumonia vaccine. Please ask at reception for details.
Flu Immunisation
Seasonal flu is a highly infectious illness caused by a flu virus.
The virus infects your lungs and upper airways, causing a sudden high temperature and general aches and pains.
You could also lose your appetite, feel nauseous and have a dry cough. Symptoms can last for up to a week.
We offer ‘at risk’ groups the flu vaccine at a certain time each year to protect you against the flu virus.
You may be invited for a flu jab if you are:
- over 65 years of age
- pregnant
or have:
- a serious heart or chest complaint, including asthma
- serious kidney disease
- diabetes
- lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
- if you have ever had a stroke
- If you have any queries please contact the surgery.
Useful links
Led by the Health Visitors – (020) 8836 8621
The Health Visitors hold baby clinics across the Borough, the nearest of which are at Community Vision Children & Family Centre, Woodbine Grove, Penge, SE20 8UX (walk in clinic Monday 1.30 – 3.30pm) and The Neighbourhood Church, Cromwell Road, Beckenham, BR3 4LW (walk in clinic Thursday 1.30 – 3.30pm).
New patients over the age of 5 years are eligible for a health check. We strongly recommend this check and ask all new patients to complete a health check questionnaire when registering with us. Initial health checks are carried out by our practice nurses and all information given is treated as confidential. In addition, all patients over 75 years and those patients who have not attended the surgery for more than 3 years are also eligible for a general health check. These are also carried out by our practice nurses.