If you have any questions about the bowel cancer screening programme, or want to know when you will be screened contact 0800 707 6060
The bowel cancer screening programmes uses a home test kit called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT). For the test, you’ll collect a small amount of poo. This is sent to a laboratory, where they’ll test for blood in the poo sample.
Screening can help to find Polyps (non-cancerous growths) which may be growing in the bowel. Some polyps can become bowel cancer over time, screening can help to find them so they can be removed before they do.
If the test finds blood in the sample, an appointment will be given with a specialist screening practitioner (SSP) to discuss options for further investigations.
Bowel cancer screening helps to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer. It can help prevent bowel cancer or spot it early before symptoms start, when it’s most treatable.
Everyone aged 54 to 74 years who is registered with a GP and lives in England is automatically sent an NHS bowel cancer screening kit every 2 years.
The age that people are invited is gradually being extended to include people aged 50. Make sure your GP has your correct address so your kit is posted to the correct place.
Anyone over 75 can ask for a screening test every 2 years, by calling the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
The bowel cancer screening programme gets information from all GP’s telling them the age and address of individuals. The programme does not receive any medical details regarding individuals.
No, the invitation system has no medical information on individuals; we are not made aware of individuals who may be undergoing investigations or treatment for bowel conditions. If you are unsure if you should complete your FIT test kit please contact us 0800 707 6060.
Anyone that has symptoms of bowel cancer including: a change in bowel habits lasting 3 weeks or more, bleeding from the bottom or bloody mucus in your poo, Unexpected weight loss, extreme tiredness for no obvious reason or a lump in your tummy should contact their GP.
People over 75 you can request a screening kit every 2 years by phoning, free phone 0800 707 6060. But if you are concerned about a symptom, make an appointment and speak to your GP.
If you are over 75 and want to complete screening or you are still within the eligible screening age 54 – 74 and haven’t received a kit within 2 years of your previous screen, please call the screening programme on: 0800 707 6060.
The screening programme is designed to screen people with no symptoms. If you have symptoms such as a persistent change in bowel habit, pain in your abdomen, bleeding from the back passage, tiredness or weight loss, or if you are worried about your bowel health in any way, then you should not wait for screening but contact your GP.
If you are worried about symptoms such as a persistent change in bowel habit, pain in your abdomen, bleeding from the back passage, tiredness or weight loss, or are worried about your bowel health in any way, you should speak to your GP, who can arrange for referral to a specialist if necessary. They will also discuss any concerns about family history
If any of your family members have bowel cancer, you might be worried about your risk of getting the disease. However, bowel cancer is common and in most cases it’s not passed down through the family.
Tell your GP if you have:
- A close relative (parent, sibling or child) diagnosed with bowel cancer before the age of 50 years
- Two or more close relatives diagnosed with bowel cancer at any age (for example your parent, and their sibling or parent)
- A relative with a known genetic (inherited) condition linked to bowel cancer, such as Lynch syndrome or familial polyposis
The genetic conditions include Lynch syndrome, FAP (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis) and MAP (MUTYH Associated Polyposis). People with these conditions have a much higher chance of developing bowel cancer and they are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age. Many of these cancers can be prevented if doctors know about the genetic condition as early as possible.
Around 5-10% of all bowel cancer cases are thought to be caused by a change in a known gene. The changed gene can be passed down through a family. If you have the changed gene, you may have a higher risk of getting bowel cancer at some point in your life. We don’t yet know all of the genes that are involved in these cases.
No, the FIT test does not diagnose bowel cancer. However the results of the FIT test will show if there is blood in your sample and if you need a colonoscopy examination.
For information on using the FIT test kit see publications ‘Bowel cancer screening, kit instructions’ or call the free phone number 0800 707 6060 and the telephonist will be able to advice.
If you have haemorrhoids (piles) when you complete the kit, then there’s more chance that you will get an abnormal result. An abnormal result may be due to blood from your haemorrhoids or from another bowel condition. Anyone with an abnormal result is offered colonoscopy in order get a diagnosis.
Yes, you can bring a friend/family member or carer to support you at you appointments.
Yes, please call us on 0800 707 6060 and we will arrange an interpreter to attend your appointment/clinic.
Yes, please phone the free phone number 0800 707 6060 and we will arrange for one of our specialist screening practitioners to help you complete the FIT test kit.
Please inform us prior to any appointments so we can arrange an interpreter to support you, ensure we have appropriate information (e.g. brail documents) or allocate additional time if needed. Call 0800 707 6060
The colon is part of the digestive system and stores waste material before passing it out through the rectum. People who do not have a functioning colon cannot do this and need to make continuous use of a pouch/colostomy bag. You may have to use a colostomy bag temporarily, e.g. following treatment. If so, you should be screened in the usual way, when invited, once it is removed. If, having read this, you’re still unsure whether you have a functioning colon you should check with your GP before accepting a screening invitation.
If the person you support has asked for help, understands the screening process (including the bowel examination), and does not have a medical condition that means they should not be screened, then the answer is yes. If the person doesn’t understand the screening process, and/or doesn’t have the capacity to consent to the process please see the below FAQ.
The recommendation is to discuss with their GP, as he/ she has access to their medical records and knowledge of their overall medical health. In general, however some people’s mental capacity varies, in which case the decision about screening should be delayed until the individual is more able to decide for him or herself. But if the person you care for is unable to make their own decisions about screening, then you, as their carer, should make what is called a ‘best interests’ decision on their behalf (just as you may be making other decisions about their care and treatment). You will need to weigh up the benefits of screening, the possible harms, and what you think the person him or herself would have wanted. Paid carers in particular should get advice from family members or friends about the person’s views before coming to a decision.
It’s more than two years since I was screened but I still haven’t received my next screening invitation.
To find out more about the bowel cancer screening process call the freephone helpline for advice, on 0800 7076060.
For more information on making a best interests decision, you can read:
- Making decisions: A guide for family, friends and other unpaid carers from the Office of the Public Guardian and
- Making decisions: A guide for people who work in health and social care also provides useful information.
- To find out more about consenting to screening, please read our Consent to cancer screening guidance.