April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month!

Bowel cancer awareness month is an annual event which runs throughout the month of April. The month aims to highlight the importance of regular bowel screening. Bowel cancer is the fourth most common form of cancer in the UK.

Bowel cancer screening can save lives. Screening aims to detect bowel cancer at an early stage, when treatment has the best chance of working.

The bowel cancer screening programme uses home tests called the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT). FIT looks for hidden blood in poo. If you’re registered with a GP and within the eligible screening age range, a test will be automatically posted to you, so you can complete it in the privacy of your own home.

If you are aged between 60 and 74, you will be invited to take part in bowel cancer screening every two years. The age for testing is due to be extended to include people aged 50-59 from April 2021.

If you’re aged 75 or over, you can ask for a screening test by calling the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

Please click on the links below to learn more about Bowel Cancer and Screening:

Symptoms and Signs ¦ About Bowel Cancer ¦ Bowel Cancer UK

Bowel cancer screening: benefits and risks – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (different languages)

Bowel cancer screening kit: how to use – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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

Bowel Cancer Screening Leaflet