Your Bowel Screening Kit

You will be sent a bowel screening test kit to your home address.

The Bowel Screening Test Kit includes:

A small tube to collect your poo sample.

The Bowel Screening Test Kit includes:

Full instructions on how to complete the test.

The Bowel Screening Test Kit includes:

A yellow pre-paid envelope.

Bowel Screening Test Instruction Leaflet

Read all the information before you start to do the test.

If you need Help

You can get help from the free NHS Scotland bowel screening helpline number:
0800 0121 833 (textphone 18001 0800 0121 833).

If you need More Help

Talk to someone you trust like a support worker, family member or friend.

Dating Your Test

For the test, you need to take just one small sample of your poo. On the day you are taking a sample of poo, write the date on the test.

Labelling Your Test

The side for the label is marked with a +

Labelling Your Test

Your label is on the front of your letter. Please check the name and date of birth are correct before you add the label to the test kit. Stick the label on the side of the test marked with the +

How to Collect a Sample of Poo

Before taking the test, decide how you are going to collect a sample of poo. Some things you can use are:

• Toilet paper, tissue or kitchen roll you have put on your hand
• A small clean plastic bag you have put on your hand.
• A paper plate
• A clean empty carton, like a margarine tub or an ice-cream pot

Remember:

If you use an empty carton, it must be one that you can throw away afterwards.

Lining the Carton

Put some toilet paper inside the carton you use before collecting the poo. This makes it easier to empty it into the toilet when you are finished.

Before Doing The Test

Before you go to the toilet, take the test kit, instructions and what you need to catch your poo into the bathroom.

Opening the Test Kit

When you have collected the poo, open the test kit by twisting the top around.

Taking the Sample

A stick is attached to the top. Take the sample by scraping the end of the stick on the poo.

A Small Amount

Only a small amount of poo is needed.

The Two Holes

Make sure the two holes at the end of the stick are covered in poo.

Closing the Test

Close the test straight after taking your sample by putting the stick back into the test and twisting the top around.

Important:

Do not reopen the test.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions after doing the test or think you have made a mistake you can get help from the free NHS Scotland bowel screening helpline number:
0800 0121 833 (textphone 18001 0800 0121 833)

If you need More Help

Ask some you trust like a support worker, family member or friend to help.

Disposing of the Poo

Tip the poo and any toilet paper carefully into the toilet. Flush the toilet.

Disposing of the Carton

Put the carton or anything else used to catch the poo into a bag and then bin it. Do not use the carton for anything else.

Finally:

Wash your hands.

Step 1

Check that you have closed the test. The top should be twisted round securely.

Step 2

Make sure you have stuck the label from your NHS letter to your test.

Step 3

On the other side of the test, check you have written the date you took the poo sample.

Step 4

Put your test in the envelope. Take off the white strip of paper and stick the envelope down so it is sealed.

Step 5

You do not need to put a stamp on the envelope. Put it in the post box after you have sealed it. Remember to send the test back as soon as possible.

Source: All the above taken directly from Bowel Cancer UK Easy Read leaflet