Bowel Cancer Screening Test

Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK, with more than 42,000 men and women being diagnosed each year.

Yet, if bowel cancer (also known as colon cancer, rectal cancer or colorectal cancer) can be detected in its earliest stages, there is a greater than 90% chance of it being cured. Furthermore, over 50% of bowel cancer is preventable in the UK by screening and reducing your risks.

NHS England offers bowel cancer screening from the age of 60 in the UK (50 in Scotland) but, has only recently switched to similar technology used privately by Check4Cancer.

• BowelCheck is a quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Test (qFIT) that detects the concentration of human blood in the faeces, as this can be a sign of bowel cancer.
• Set at a lower threshold than the NHS England qFIT test, BowelCheck will pick up more cancers than the NHS England test. 
• The test result will state whether the sample was abnormal and if abnormal, the concentration of haemoglobin (blood) will also be provided.
• This will provide additional clinical information if the GP refers you for further investigation to a NHS or private consultant.
• BowelCheck includes a personal bowel cancer screening programme. 

• A sterile collection kit is posted out to you at home in discrete packaging by free tracked mail.
• Complete the at-home sample collection kit by following the simple instructions provided in the test kit. You can view the kit instructions here. 

• Complete the at-home test by following the simple instructions provided in the test kit.
• Return your sample to our laboratory by Freepost and expect your results within 5 days of the laboratory receiving your sample.
• Our team of specialists will analyse your test results and provide you with a personalised screening programme.

• If you have an abnormal result we will call you before sending your results letter.
• If your BowelCheck test result is abnormal we will advise you on the next steps.
• Should you have an abnormal test result, you may be eligible for referral to a private consultant or to the NHS via your GP.

If you have an abnormal result it does not necessarily mean you have bowel cancer. A bowel cancer may be missed if it’s not bleeding when the test is undertaken.

No cancer screening test will pick up all cancers. Although screening programmes are designed to detect cancers that are at an earlier stage, and have a better survival, this may not always be the case.