Bowel cancer screening - FAQs

FAQs-Bowel cancer screening

Contents

1. Overview
2. Bowel scope screening
3. Home test
4. FAQs

What should I do if my home testing kit doesn't arrive when expected?

If you think you should have received a screening invitation or home testing kit and it hasn't arrived, call the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

If you've been screened before, the 2-year gap between invitations starts from when you got your last screening result. This could mean your next invitation is delayed by several months if you had further tests after your last screening.

Bowel cancer screening - Home test

Home test-Bowel cancer screening

Contents

1. Overview
2. Bowel scope screening
3. Home test
4. FAQs

The bowel cancer screening test for people aged 60 or over is a kit you use at home.

This is used to check for tiny amounts of blood in your poo. It does not diagnose bowel cancer, but it's a simple way to find out if you need further tests.

Bowel cancer screening - Bowel scope screening

Bowel scope screening-Bowel cancer screening

Contents

1. Overview
2. Bowel scope screening
3. Home test
4. FAQs

Bowel scope screening is a new test for people aged 55 where a thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end is used to look inside your bowel.

It's done to look for and remove any small growths called polyps. These could eventually turn into cancer if they're not removed.

The test is also called a flexible sigmoidoscopy or "flexisig".

Bowel cancer screening - Overview

Overview-Bowel cancer screening

Contents

1. Overview
2. Bowel scope screening
3. Home test
4. FAQs

Bowel cancer screening involves having tests to check if you have or are at risk of bowel cancer.

Why it's offered

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.