Exploring low update of bowel screening by men in rural West Sussex
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Healthwatch West Sussex undertook research to understand low uptake of bowel screening by men in rural West Sussex. They undertook a simple survey and held follow up conversations. 217 people took part.
Three quarters of respondents completed the home bowel screening test of which 20% of responses were male. The following areas may need to be considered when engaging with people about the home bowel testing kit namely: age, access to the kit, instructions issues, practical issues completing the sample, emotional issues associated with the test, knowledge, and awareness of screening.
There needs to be clarity around the age the test starts and ends as currently people are confused. Some said they hadn’t received it or no longer received the kit automatically. Access to the kit was also an issue as the details from the Screening Hub system were incorrect, some GP practices providing incorrect advice, and people having to wait longer due to the effect of the pandemic.
The instructions for completing the test and kit were found to be too small, no visuals, issues with size of test tube and understanding of the instructions. were all cited as barriers to accessing the kit. There were several practical issues reported such as other health conditions preventing the collection of a sample. Not wanting to know the outcome and difficulty around the collection of the sample.
Emotional issues centred around, ‘may have cancer and would have to make decisions’, providing the sample, and embarrassment. Issues around knowledge and awareness centred around not knowing about the test, not thinking it applied to men, age the screening ends and not wanting to complete the test. Others had been advised by their GP not to complete the test. Some were sceptical about the capability of the NHS to treat appropriately if diagnosed, given the pressures it is currently under.
Conversations with men identified that the NHS needs to promote the test around men’s activities, including sport, gyms and fishing. Going to where men are is therefore important but recognising that conversations and information needs to be short and to the point.