TUESDAY, 14 APRIL 2026

Tayside athlete Liz McColgan urges people to take lifesaving step this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

Tayside athletics legend Liz McColgan is urging people to complete their bowel cancer screening test as part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

Liz, a former middle and long-distance runner who is a two-time gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games and a silver medallist in the 1988 Olympic Games, has teamed up with NHS Tayside’s Public Health and both the bowel screening and specialist bowel cancer nursing team to raise awareness of the importance of bowel screening.

Liz said, “When diagnosed early, nine in ten people survive bowel cancer. That’s why this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, I'm helping raise awareness of the disease, and the importance of screening so everyone has the best chance of an early diagnosis.

“Knowing the symptoms is important to help spot bowel cancer early. The earlier it’s found, the more treatable it’s likely to be. Early detection really can save lives.

“Bowel screening can help spot bowel cancer before symptoms even start. I would encourage everyone who receives their free bowel cancer screening test to complete it and return it as soon as possible.”

Consultant in Public Health Heidi Douglas said, “We are thrilled that Liz is supporting us this year to raise awareness and encourage people to complete their screening.

“People living in Scotland aged 50 to 74 are invited to complete the bowel screening test every two years. The test aims to pick up early signs of bowel cancer, before people have any symptoms. It can help spot cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful. The test is sent to people at home where it can be completed in private and returned using the pre-paid envelope provided.

“If you’re worried about a symptom of bowel cancer, don’t wait to be invited for screening. Contact your GP practice to get it checked.”

Know the symptoms of bowel cancer:

• Bleeding from your bottom

• Blood in your poo

• A change in how often you poo, or regularly having diarrhoea or constipation

• Losing weight but you’re not sure why

• Feeling very tired all the time but you’re not sure why

• A pain or lump in your tummy

If you have any of these symptoms, please contact your GP for an at-home screening test as soon as you can.

For further information, please contact www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/screening/bowel-screening/ or watch the video here.

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740138