What is bowel screening?

Bowel cancer screening involves having tests to check if you have or are at risk of bowel cancer.

Read the NHS Bowel cancer screening page

NHS Hereford and Worcester video library - Screening

Who is the bowel screening for?

NHS bowel cancer screening checks are available to everyone aged 60 to 74 years.

The programme is expanding to make it available to everyone aged 50 to 59 years. This is happening gradually over 4 years and started in April 2021.

Why have the screening?

Read why to have the bowel cancer screening: Bowel cancer screening: benefits and risks (GOV.UK)

How is the screening done?

Read how bowel scope screening is done: Bowel scope screening (NHS)

Read how the screening is done at home: Home test (NHS).

Easy read:

• Bowel cancer screening: easy guide - GOV.UK

About bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is a common type of cancer in both men and women. About 1 in 20 people will get it during their lifetime. To learn what the symptoms are visit at NHS Choices - Bowel cancer symptoms. If you have symptoms of bowel cancer, see your GP immediately.