Bowel Cancer Screening

Bowel cancer screening

The bowel screening programme helps to spot bowel cancer before symptoms start, when could be easier to treat. A screening kit will be sent to you every two years if you’re aged 50 – 74 and registered with a GP. 

If you are eligible for the test but have not received a kit, or you have any questions, you can call the bowel screening helpline on 0800 707 6060 

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

**What is bowel cancer screening? **

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK. The bowel cancer screening programmes uses a test called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT). For the test, you’ll collect a small amount of poo. This is sent to a lab where they’ll test for blood in your poo.  

Screening can also help to find polyps (non-cancerous growths) which may be growing in the bowel. Polyps can become bowel cancer over time, screening can help to find them so they can be removed before they do.  

Symptoms of bowel cancer

The main symptoms of bowel cancer may include: 

• bleeding from your bottom

• blood in your poo

• a change in your pooing habits. You might be going more or less often, or have diarrhoea or constipation that might come and go

• losing weight but you’re not sure why

• feeling very tired all the time but you’re not sure why

• a pain or lump in your tummy

If you have any of these symptoms for two weeks or more, visit your GP and request an at-home test. Do not wait to have a screening test. 

Some of the symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions. Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have bowel cancer, but it's important to get checked by a GP.

Visit the NHS website for all up-to-date info.