Reviewed on : 23 May 2023

Reviewed by : Hazel Blanchard

Expires : 23 May 2025

NHS Bowel Screening

• NHS Bowel Cancer Screening checks if you could have bowel cancer
• If between 60 and 74 you will be invited to take part in bowel cancer screening every two years
• The age for testing is being extended gradually to include people aged 50-59
• This is being phased in over 4 years from April 2021
• If 75 or over, you can ask for a screening test by calling the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60
• The bowel screening programmes across the UK uses a home test called a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) to collect a small sample of poo sent to a lab to be checked for tiny amounts of blood

Further Information

NHS Bowel Screening

Bowel Cancer UK

Cancer Research UK – bowel screening

Bowel cancer screening kit: how to use

Video: How to do the FIT bowel cancer screening test | Cancer Research UK

Using your bowel screening kits – BSL and other languages

Bowel Cancer Screening: Easy Read Guide

CRUK Resources – Bowel Screening

Bowel Cancer Screening: Other Languages