25/07/2025
Are you aged 50-74?
If so you should already have been made aware of the national bowel cancer screening programme.
Why does the NHS offers bowel cancer screening?
Screening if offered to try and find signs of bowel cancer at an early stage when there are no symptoms. This is when treatment can be more effective.
Sometimes cells in the bowel grow too quickly and form a clump known as a bowel polyp. Polyps are not cancers but can develop into cancers over time. Finding polyps means they can be removed.
Regular screening reduces your risk of getting and dying from bowel cancer.
Who is bowel screening aimed at?
Bowel cancer screening is currently offered to everyone aged 50 to 74 every 2 years.
This is because your risk of getting bowel cancer gets higher as you get older.
You can also get screening for bowel cancer every 2 years if you're aged 75 or over, but you need to call the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060 and ask for the test.
Find out about bowel cancer screening, including why it’s done, who it’s for, how to do the test, and when you’ll get your results.
