bowel urine test explained

Overview

A bowel urine test is a simple, non-invasive test that checks your urine for certain substances that might be a sign of bowel (colorectal) cancer. It is used as a screening tool, not a final diagnosis. If the test shows something unusual, your doctor will recommend further tests to confirm.

Bowel urine tests are becoming more common as a first step in checking for bowel cancer, but they are not yet used everywhere. You may be offered one if you have symptoms or as part of a screening programme.

It is offered to people who have symptoms that could be related to bowel cancer, such as changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, or unexplained weight loss. It may also be offered to people aged 50 and over as part of routine screening.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Persistent change in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, or feeling of incomplete emptying)
• Blood in your stool (bright red or very dark)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Tummy pain, bloating, or discomfort that does not go away

Symptoms in children

• Bowel urine tests are not usually needed in children. Symptoms like bloody stool or persistent diarrhoea should always be checked by a doctor.

Symptoms in older adults

• Older adults may have the same symptoms as others, but they are also more likely to have bowel polyps (growths that can turn into cancer). A urine test may be part of screening.

Causes

Main causes

• Bowel cancer is not caused by the test itself – the test is done to look for possible early signs of cancer.
• Bowel cancer occurs when cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control. The exact cause is unknown, but it is linked to certain risk factors.

Risk factors

• Age over 50
• A family history of bowel cancer
• A diet high in red or processed meat
• Being overweight or inactive
• Smoking or drinking alcohol heavily
• Having certain bowel conditions like polyps or inflammatory bowel disease

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you have any of the emergency symptoms listed, call your local emergency number right away.
• If you have blood in your stool or a sudden change in bowel habits that lasts more than a few weeks, see a GP within a few days.

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you are aged 50 or over, talk to your GP about whether a bowel urine test is right for you as part of routine screening.
• If you have a family history of bowel cancer, ask your doctor if you should have this test earlier.

Diagnosis

A bowel urine test is not used to diagnose bowel cancer on its own. It is a screening test that points to whether more tests are needed. If the urine test is positive, you will be referred for a colonoscopy (a camera test inside your bowel) or a CT scan.

Tests that may be done

• Urine test (bowel urine test) – you provide a sample in a sterile container.
• Colonoscopy – a thin tube with a camera is passed into your back passage to look at your bowel directly.
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) – a type of CT scan that makes detailed images of your bowel.

What to expect at your appointment

For the urine test, you will be given a container and instructions. You may need to avoid certain foods or medicines beforehand. The sample is sent to a lab, and results usually come back in a week or two. If the test is positive, your doctor will explain the next steps.

Treatment

If the urine test leads to a diagnosis of bowel cancer, treatment will depend on how advanced the cancer is. The main treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Your healthcare team will create a plan tailored to you.

Self-care at home

• Follow any instructions your doctor gives you before the urine test, such as avoiding certain foods.
• If you have a condition that increases your risk of bowel cancer, keep up with regular check-ups.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Medical treatments

Treatment for bowel cancer may include surgery to remove the tumour and nearby lymph nodes, chemotherapy (drugs that kill cancer cells), and radiation therapy (using high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells). Sometimes targeted therapy or immunotherapy is used. Your doctor will explain the options based on your situation.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is often the main treatment for early-stage bowel cancer. It involves removing the part of the bowel that contains the tumour. If the cancer is more advanced, surgery may be combined with other treatments.

Living with this condition

If you have had a bowel urine test and are waiting for results, try to keep up with your normal routine. Anxiety is normal. Talk to your doctor about how long results will take and what to expect. If you are diagnosed with bowel cancer, your medical team will support you through treatment and recovery.

Lifestyle tips

• Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Limit red and processed meat.
• Stay physically active – aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week.
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
• Attend all follow-up appointments and screenings.

Diet and exercise

A healthy diet and regular exercise can help lower your risk of bowel cancer and improve your overall well-being. After a bowel cancer diagnosis, a dietitian can help you manage any dietary changes, especially if you have had surgery.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Waiting for test results or dealing with a cancer diagnosis can be stressful. It is common to feel anxious, scared, or depressed. Talk to your doctor about counselling or support groups. You are not alone.

Prevention

There is no guaranteed way to prevent bowel cancer, but you can reduce your risk by eating well, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol. Regular screening can catch it early when it is easier to treat.

Screening programmes

Bowel screening programmes (such as the NHS bowel cancer screening programme) use a stool test called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) to check for hidden blood. A bowel urine test is another type of screening test that may become more common in the future. Talk to your doctor about which screening is right for you.

Complications

If left untreated

• If bowel cancer is not treated, it can grow and spread to other parts of the body, making it harder to treat.
• It can cause a blockage in the bowel, leading to severe pain, vomiting, and constipation.
• Cancer cells can spread to the liver, lungs, or other organs, causing further complications.

Long-term outlook

Bowel cancer is very treatable, especially when found early. The bowel urine test helps find it at an early stage. Many people make a full recovery. Even if treatment is needed, survival rates are high for early-stage bowel cancer. With advances in treatment, the outlook continues to improve.

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