Bowel Screening

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland with almost 4,000 people diagnosed with the disease every year.

Although bowel cancer is common, it is also highly treatable if detected early. If we find bowel cancer early enough, there's more than a 90% chance of successful treatment. The sooner it's caught, the easier it is to treat.

All men and women aged 50-74 are invited for bowel screening. Bowel screening involves taking a simple test at home every two years.

If you are 75 or over you can still take a bowel screening test every two years if you want to, a test kit will not be sent automatically to you though you will need to request one.

Ask
  • Have you received your bowel screening kit?
  • Have you completed it and sent it back?
  • Do you understand why you have been asked to complete it?

Assist
  • Do you require support to complete this? ( may require some practical help, speak to primary care)
  • Do you require help in obtaining a kit?

Act

A test kit can be requested by contacting the Bowel Screening Helpline by telephone

Do you need more information about bowel screening?