Bowel screening
Why is screening important?
This page explains what Bowel Screening is and why it is important.
Bowel cancer and Scotland
Bowel Cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland.
Around 4000 people in Scotland get bowel cancer every year.
How common is bowel cancer?
It is more common in people over 50 years of age, especially men.
Bowel screening test
The bowel screening tests looks for small amounts of blood in your poo that you cannot see.
The test helps to find cancer at an early stage.
What is the cause if blood is found?
The most common causes of a positive test are Haemorrhoid’s, Piles and Polyps.
Sometimes the cause of the blood is not found; it’s been an incidental finding.
Who should be screened?
Aged 50-74
If you are aged 50-74, you will be sent a bowel screening test kit every 2 years.
Aged over 74
If you are over 74 years old, you can still take a bowel screening test every 2 years. You will need to request a new test kit each time.
You will not be sent one automatically.
You can order a test free of charge by contacting the NHS Scotland bowel screening centre.
Call: 0800 0121 833 (textphone 18001 0800 0121 833).
This video from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clydemore will inform men and women aged 50 – 74 about Bowel Screening
