Bowel Cancer Screening

BACK TO MAIN INDEX

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. The aim of the Bowel Screening Programme is to discover bowel cancer at an early stage before symptoms have a chance to develop. The sooner it’s caught, the easier it is to treat, and treatment is more likely to be successful. Bowel screening involves a simple test that you carry out in your own home.

Who is eligible for bowel cancer screening?

Everyone aged 60-74 will receive a testing kit in the post every 2 years. The doctors and nurses at Gloucester Road Medical Centre would really encourage you to do this screening test, which you then send off in the envelope. If you are over 75, you can still request a pack by contacting the Bowel Screening Helpline.

What does the test involve?

The test looks for a very small amount of blood in the poo and if this is positive, you will be called in to the hospital for more tests, usually a colonoscopy. For more information about this, please see the NHS website Colonoscopy - NHS (www.nhs.uk).

Whether or not to do the test is your choice, so you should read the information you are sent with your screening invitation to help you decide. If you have not received your screening pack or wish to have another sent out to you, please contact the Bowel Screening Helpline.

If you’re not sure how to complete the test itself, please watch the video below, or speak to one of the practice nurses, who can show you how to complete the kit. If there is anything else that you’d like to know or discuss about bowel screening, please do not hesitate to contact the surgery for further advice.

Bowel Screening Helpline Telephone Number: 0800 707 6060

For more information and resources, please see these helpful websites:

Cancer Research UK Website

Bowel Cancer UK

NHS Website - Bowel Cancer Screening