Interview 09

Age at interview: 70
Brief Outline:

She was invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2002 and in 2004. The results of both the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) tests were normal.

Background:

A white British woman, a retired secretary, divorced with 2 children.

More about me...

She was invited to be screened for bowel cancer in 2002, when aged 66. The result of the Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test was normal. She was invited again in 2004, when aged 68. The result was also normal.
 

She had a normal result in 2002 and 2004. She felt a sense of relief.

She had a normal result in 2002 and 2004. She felt a sense of relief.

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And how long did you have to get, wait for the result?

Oh about two weeks I think.

And how did you get the result?

It came through the post.

And how did you feel when you first picked up the letter?

Oh that's good, I suppose a little bit of relief there obviously to know that everything is okay.

And then you were invited to do it again two years later.

Two years yeah, yeah.

2004.

Yes, yeah went through the same procedure, everything the same and sent it back and the letter back saying everything was okay.

That's good and do you expect to do it again in a few years?

Well yes I don't mind. It helps doesn't it, it's all good for the research and it's good for me as well.

Do you think that was the best way of getting the results through the post or would you have liked to have been given the results face to face?

Well if it was anything serious it would obviously have been face to face wouldn't it?
 

She thought the invitation to be screened was 'just another check-up'.

She thought the invitation to be screened was 'just another check-up'.

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What was your initial reaction when the letter came through the door to say you were invited for screening?

Just, oh another check-up, hadn't heard anything like that before although my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and friends had also received letters, invitations to do the same thing which seemed to be quite a general invitation almost.

Had you read about it in the local press at all?

No, no.

So you just got this letter saying would you take part?

Yes, yes.