Author: Kayleigh Roberts, Senior Product Manager FIT, Alpha Laboratories
What is Bowel Cancer Screening?
From breast to bowel, in the UK we are lucky to have free and comprehensive screening programmes that can help to detect common cancers and conditions before they show obvious symptoms or become more serious. Screening programmes typically target those at the highest risk who may not yet be showing symptoms, so that any further investigations or treatment needed can all be done quickly, ensuring significant improvements to healthcare outcomes for everyone.
Bowel cancer screening beneFITs!
Although it may seem like the clue is in the name, the bowel cancer screening test itself does not actually detect “bowel cancer”. Instead, the screening test, also known as a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), enables analysis of a small amount of your poo to detect if even microscopic levels of blood are present. This can indicate to your healthcare professional if you need to be referred to the definitive gold standard test – a colonoscopy.
The colonoscopy will then determine if you have lesions, polyps, low- or high-risk adenomas which could be causing the blood in your poo. All of these different things are not bowel cancer but have the potential to develop into cancer if not caught early.
Obviously colonoscopies are not everyone’s favourite past time. In addition to potential waiting lists just to undergo the procedure, there are also factors such as time taken to attend the appointment and potential risks during the colonoscopy to consider. These factors make FIT an easy and accessible option for the greater population as it can be done in the comfort of the home in just a matter of minutes.
✔ Non-invasive and easy – Just a quick sample from the comfort of your home.
✔ Saves lives – Detects potential issues early before symptoms appear.
✔ Reduces the need for unnecessary procedures – Only those at higher risk will need a colonoscopy.
✔ Convenient – No need to visit a hospital or GP to carry out the test.
Image credit: Public Health Scotland – Scottish Bowel Screening Programme | Mysite
“9 in 10 people survive bowel cancer when it’s diagnosed at the earliest stage”
– Bowel Cancer UK
Who is eligible?
Each country in the UK manages their own screening programmes so depending on where people live, screening invitation packs may be sent out differently, however all programmes in the UK typically send out kits on a 2-yearly basis.
England:
Participants are invited to complete the test if they live England and are between 54 to 74 years old.
*This age range is in the process of extending to people aged 50 to 74 years via a phased roll-out.
Those over 75 years can request a test by calling a dedicated helpline: 0800 707 6060.
Scotland:
Participants are invited to complete the test if they are 50 to 74 years old, living in Scotland, and haven’t been screened in the last two years.
Participants over 75 years can request a bowel screening test every two years by filling out a simple online form: Request a home bowel screening test kit | NHS inform
Wales:
Participants are invited to complete the test if they are 50 to 74 years old, living in Wales, and haven’t been screened in the last two years.
Northern Ireland:
Participants are invited to complete the test if they are 60 to 74 years old, registered with a GP in Northern Ireland, and haven’t been screened in the last two years.
Support every step of the way
If additional help is needed to complete the at-home FIT, each screening programme also has dedicated helplines or emails available to provide that extra advice or support materials – from information leaflets in different languages to audio or video files available online.
If your FIT results indicate that further investigation is needed, you won’t be left to figure it out alone. There are plenty of online resources and healthcare professionals ready to guide you through the next steps.
Bowel screening is free, quick, and could be lifesaving. If you receive a screening kit, take the test – it only takes a few minutes but could make a huge difference to your future health. For more information on your screening programme, visit the relevant link below:
England: Bowel cancer screening – NHS
Scotland: Bowel screening in Scotland | NHS inform
Wales: Bowel Screening – Public Health Wales
Northern Ireland: Bowel cancer screening | nidirect
Image credit: Public Health Wales – Bowel screening in Wales is expanding. – Dyfi Valley Health
