Pennine Bowel Cancer Screening Programme

12/05/2026

Party 🎉 time 🤞

12/05/2026

An inspirational way to start the day Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance with 🏃‍♀️

29/04/2026

Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance

We are excited to announce on Wednesday 24 June 2026, we are hosting a conference open to all members of the public, including patients, carers and community members. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear about how we are improving cancer care across the region, the pivotal role that patients and communities play, and the different ways to get more involved.

Please sign up today or, if you know someone who may be interested, please share our flyer with them. 🎉

27/04/2026

Have you had your NHS bowel cancer screening test yet?

If you’re between 50-74 and registered with a GP you will automatically be sent your screening kit through the post every two years.

It’s easy to do, and you can complete it yourself in the privacy of your own bathroom. If you think you’re eligible and haven’t had a kit sent to you, you can call the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.

Bowel cancer screening finds bowel cancer before you’ve noticed any symptoms, which means it’s much easier to treat.

23/04/2026

We’ve been nominated 👏 🏆 Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance

Commitment to Equality Award - A Journey through Colonoscopy

23/04/2026

👏 excellent news. Well done 👍

22/04/2026

To the backbone of all we do, we couldn’t do it with out you 💙 Julie, Nicky, Mo and Kellie thank you ☺️

20/04/2026

Happy Birthday 🥳 to the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme 🎂 and if you’ve got you’re 50th Birthday coming up you will get your first kit in the post. It’s simple and easy to do. For more information see: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/bowel-cancer-screening/ or call 0800 707 6060 for more information

20/04/2026

Do you know the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer?

If you’ve had blood in your poo or bleeding from your bottom, a change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss or a pain or lump in your tummy, and these symptoms last three weeks or more, it’s time to get them checked out.

Chances are it’s not bowel cancer, but if it is, finding it early can make it much more treatable.

Month

19/04/2026

call 0800 707 6060 if you are between 50-74 to check you’re eligibility and if you are over 74 to request a kit 💙

We’ve found that a third of people who receive a bowel cancer screening test in the UK don’t complete it 🚨

Bowel screening helps spot bowel cancer before symptoms start, when it’s more treatable. A screening kit will be sent to you every two years in the post if you’re within the age range for the screening programme and registered with a GP.

This is between 50-74 in England, Scotland and Wales and between 60-74 in Northern Ireland.

This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we want everyone who receives their free bowel cancer screening test to complete and return it as soon as possible.

If you have any questions about screening, you can contact our nurses through our Ask the Nurse service: https://bit.ly/42sJThP

19/04/2026

This we’re focusing on early diagnosis and asking people to help us raise vital awareness of the disease.

All this month we’re sharing stories from our community who were diagnosed at either stage 1 or 2. Today’s story is from Rob. He was diagnosed at stage 2, aged 39.

“I was experiencing a lot of fatigue. Often, weekends would wipe me out running after the kids, coaching a youth football team.

“I had a pain in my right side which I put down to an ongoing cough and a winter bug. I went to see my GP who suggested some blood tests. After a few days my GP contacted me to say that I was severely anaemic and showing signs of blood loss.

“I was told after my CT that I had a large tumour in my large intestine and would require surgery. I was in shock looking back.

“I felt I shouldn’t have to face this at 39 and I was scared for what the future held. The unknown aspects were the worst, waiting for test results and the many avenues of outcomes. Once I had a plan, I could mentally get behind it and prepare myself.

“A couple of weeks after my colonoscopy I underwent a seven-hour operation – a right hemicolectomy – to remove the tumour and reconnect the healthy part of my system. At first this was done via keyhole surgery, but as the tumour was large I needed opening up further. I ended up with a nice scar to take home.

“The night I got home I had terrible post-operative bloating which caused a lot of pain and sickness. I was in agony. Thankfully it passed and I was able to slowly start my recovery. After a few painful weeks of physical and mental recovery I returned to work in May, easing back into the new ‘normality’.

“My tumour was analysed and was deemed a stage 2 cancer due to its size. Due to early intervention, it was decided that I didn’t need chemotherapy, just screening.

“Getting help early was key for me: getting diagnosed early via my GP and not letting a ni**le go unnoticed. A few more weeks or months of brushing my symptoms under the carpet could have led to a very different outcome.

“I’d also stress that there’s so much help in the build-up to diagnosis and treatment, but there is a massive gap in supporting those getting back to work emotionally. Cancer changes you as an individual. Recovery for me has been quite long, despite my not needing further treatment. We need to raise awareness about the recalibration needed post-cancer.”

Thank you, Rob, for sharing your story with us. We really appreciate you highlighting the importance of early diagnosis, and the realities of back get to your new normal.

To read the rest of Rob’s story or more like it, go to https://bit.ly/4c2yptu