Bowel Screening
What is Bowel Screening?
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.
Are you eligible for Bowel Screening?
Bowel cancer screening is offered to everyone aged 54 to 74.
It will soon be available for everyone aged 50 to 74 years old, so you may be sent a home test kit now if you’re aged 50 or over.
This is because your risk of getting bowel cancer gets higher as you get older.
How often should you complete Bowel Screening?
We invite people aged 54 to 74 years for bowel cancer screening every 2 years. People older than this can ask for a screening kit every 2 years by calling the free helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
When will you receive your bowel screening results?
After you send your poo sample in the post, you will be sent your results within 14 days
You will get a letter telling you the results. Sometimes you may be asked to do the test again. This is usually to make sure the test has been done properly and gives the correct result. If you do not get your results within 2 weeks, you can call the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.
For more information please click the links below