If you have been invited to take part in bowel cancer screening our team of health professionals would strongly advise you to take part.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. The purpose of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is to find bowel cancer earlier or even prevent it from developing. The earlier bowel cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.
Bowel cancer screening involves a simple test that you do at home. When you are registered with a GP practice your bowel screening kit will be delivered to you in the post.
We encourage you to take part in the bowel cancer screening programme and complete it when you get it.
Men and women aged between 60 and 74 years of age are invited to be screened every two years. You are invited at this age as the risk of developing bowel cancer can increase with age.
It is a test that detects hidden blood in your poo. Blood in your poo could be a sign of a number of conditions, one of which is bowel cancer.
Cancer Research UK studies show that more than 9 out of 10 people can survive bowel cancer for 5 years or more if it is found early. If bowel cancer is found at a later stage, less than 1 in 10 people will survive for 5 years or more.
If you are registered with a GP an invitation letter will be sent to your home, and two weeks later the testing kit and instructions are then posted to you.
Six samples of poo are needed: 2 small samples of poo from three different poos. You will need to take two small samples of your poo on three different days and place it on the space provided on the kit. However, when you are collecting your poo to sample you must make sure that it does not touch the water in the bowl of the toilet. Below are some hints on how to do the kit.
Watch the Cancer Research UK video on how to complete your bowel screening kit (YouTube, opens in a new window). It will help you to complete the kit too.
Full instructions are provided, or you can ask for advice from a nurse at your GP practice.
Once you have taken all the samples required you put the kit in the envelope provided and post it. There is no need for a stamp.
If you have not used the kit the last time you were invited you can order another one. You do not have to wait another 2 years until you are invited again. You can order another kit by calling 0800 707 6060.
Just speak to one of our doctors, practice nurses or healthcare assistants.