Bowel Cancer Screening

If you are aged between 60-74, and you are registered with a GP, you should be automatically invited to take part in the national bowel screening programme.

The screening programme is free to take part in and easy to complete. A kit will be automatically sent to you through the post to be completed in the comfort of your own home. Once done, the kit can be free-posted back to the lab for testing, and both you and your GP will be sent a copy of the results.

If you are eligible for the test but have not received a kit, you can call the bowel screening helpline on 0800 707 6060 - where you can also take any queries or concerns.

If you're 75 or over, you can still ask for a kit every 2 years by phoning the above helpline.

NHS screening kits are not available for people under 60. If you're too young for screening but are worried about a family history of bowel cancer, speak to a GP for advice. Always see a GP if you have symptoms of bowel cancer at any age – do not wait to have a screening test.

Bowel cancer is a common type of cancer in both men and women. About 1 in 20 people will get it during their lifetime.

Screening can help detect bowel cancer at an early stage, when it's easier to treat. It can also be used to help check for and remove small growths in the bowel called polyps, which can turn into cancer over time.

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