Bowel cancer screening
Bowel cancer, also known as colon, rectal or colorectal cancer, is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, accounting for around 1 in 10 (11-12%) of all new cancer cases.
Despite being the fourth most common type of cancer, it has second highest mortality rate in the UK, with around 17,700 people dying from the disease every year.
Bowel cancer screening helps detect cancer early, often before symptoms develop. The NHS routinely invites people aged 50 to 74 to take part in screening every 2 years. Screening is free and can be done at home.
Data from Cancer Research UK highlights how the disease affects different demographics:
- Annually around 48,200 people are diagnosed in the UK each year.
- By gender it is the second most common cancer in males with around 26,800 cases, and is the third most common cancer in females (around 21,400 cases).
- Age also plays a factor; while more than 40% of cases occur in people aged 75 and over, there is a rising trend of diagnoses in adults under the age of 50.
- It is preventable; experts estimate that 54% of bowel cancer cases are entirely preventable through lifestyle changes.
Remember: early detection can make bowel cancer easier to treat and can save lives.
Visit the NHS London bowel cancer screening website for more information >>
Location
Bowel Cancer Screening Office, second floor, Pink Zone, University Hospital Lewisham
Contact
Phone: 020 8333 3038
Email: lh.bcs@nhs.net
Bowel cancer symptoms
The most common symptoms of bowel cancer include:
- A pain or lump in your tummy
- Blood in your poo or looser poo
- Bleeding from the back passage without any obvious reason
- Persistent change in bowel habit or diarrhoea for several weeks
- Feeling more tired than usual for some time
- Losing weight for no obvious reason
If you are worried about risks and symptoms, including those outside the screening age group, contact your GP.
Not all symptoms mean its bowel cancer. They can be due to other conditions, which may still need treatment. But don’t try to diagnose yourself. Go and see your doctor now to find out for sure. If you know anyone with any of these symptoms, insist they see their doctor.
Find out more about bowel cancer symptoms >>
Bowel cancer screening for people aged 50 – 74 years
- The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme offers screening every two years to all men and women aged 50 to 74.
- If you are in the invitation age range, you will automatically be sent a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) screening kit through the post as long as you are registered with a GP
- The test aims to detect tiny amount of blood that cannot normally be seen in your bowel motion (poo)
- Bowel cancer screening can also detect polyps. These are not cancers, but may develop into cancers over time. They can easily be removed, reducing the risk of bowel cancer developing
- Regular bowel cancer screening has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer by 25%
If you are over the invitation age range (50–74), you can request a screening kit by calling 0800 707 6060.
How to get a bowel cancer screening kit
The bowel cancer screening test kit is simple and safe and can be completed in the privacy of your home.
Most people will get their results back within two weeks.
If you lose or damage your FIT test kit you can request a replacement.
The South East London Cancer Alliance has produced a 2-minute video showing you how to use your FIT kit. You can watch it below, or watch it on Youtube here >>
Watch the National bowel screening video about how to complete the test kit >>.
You can also find more information in a variety of languages.
If your screening result is abnormal
If blood is found in your sample and the result of your FIT is positive you may be invited for further tests at our screening centre.
This does not mean you have cancer, but it’s important to check and our staff will give you advice. You may also be offered an appointment for a colonoscopy examination.
A colonoscopy is a test that looks inside your bowel using a thin, flexible tube with a camera. It helps doctors find and remove polyps or diagnose conditions early.
You will receive instructions on how to prepare your bowel for the procedure. This will usually be carried out with sedation and most people will be able to go home the same day.
More help and advice
If you have been invited for bowel cancer screening, and have any questions about the bowel cancer test kit, you should call the freephone number 0800 707 6060.
You can get more information about the bowel cancer screening programme from the Cancer Screening website . Information is available in a variety of languages.