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Bowel Cancer Screening
Bowel Cancer Screening: What You Need to Know
Bowel cancer screening is a crucial public health initiative designed to catch signs of bowel (colorectal) cancer early — often before symptoms develop. In England,
If you're aged 50 to 74 and registered with a GP in England, you will now be invited to completed a bowel cancer screening test every two years, as you become eligible. You do not need to contact your GP or local hospital as this is an automatic process.
If you are aged over 74 you can opt in by contacting the central hub on 0800 707 60 60.
How the At-Home Screening Works
The screening test uses a simple Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) that looks for tiny amounts of blood in your poo, which can be an early sign of bowel cancer.
When you’re eligible, you’ll receive a FIT kit in the post that includes a small sample bottle, a sampling stick, an envelope and instructions. At home you:
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Collect a small poo sample using the stick provided.
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Place the sample in the bottle and seal it.
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Put the bottle in the prepaid envelope.
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Post it back to the lab — no stamp needed.
Most people get their results within about two weeks. If no blood is found, you’ll be invited to screen again in two years. If blood is found, you’ll be contacted about next steps — usually a clinic appointment and possibly a colonoscopy to look more closely inside the bowel.
Why Screening Matters
Screening saves lives by:
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Detecting cancer early, when treatment is more effective.
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Finding and removing polyps before they develop into cancer.
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Reducing the number of people diagnosed at advanced stages.
Recognising Symptoms of Bowel Cancer
Even with screening, it’s important to be aware of symptoms. These 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 notice any of these symptoms, contact your GP promptly, even if you’re not currently due for a screening kit.
Take Action
The bowel cancer screening programme offers a simple way to check for early signs of disease from the comfort of home. For more details about eligibility, how testing works and why it’s beneficial, visit https://peninsulacanceralliance.nhs.uk/bowel-cancer-screening/.
Published: Mar 3, 2026