About 1 in 20 people will get bowel cancer in their life. It affects men and women.
Screening can help detect bowel cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.
How it works
You use a home test kit to do the screening.
If you’re 60 to 74, you’ll be sent a kit every 2 years. The programme is expanding to eventually include those aged 50-59, so currently 58 year olds, and some 56 year olds, are also eligible for screening.
If you’re 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every 2 years. Call the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
If you’re younger than 56 and you’re worried because you have a family history of bowel cancer, speak to your GP.
Call the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60 if you have not been sent a test and you think you need one.
Find out more
Read the NHS website guide to bowel cancer screening.
You can also find information about bowel cancer from: