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Why the NHS offers bowel cancer screening
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK and the second most common cause of cancer death. Screening helps to detect bowel cancer, or early signs of it, at an early stage and can prevent unnecessary deaths. We offer screening 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.
Who we invite for bowel cancer screening
We invite people aged 54 to 74 years for bowel cancer screening every 2 years. We send a bowel cancer screening home test kit. The programme is gradually expanding to make it available to eligible people aged 50 and over.
You must be registered with a GP and live in England to be invited. Your GP surgery gives us your contact information. Please make sure they have the correct details, including your:
- name
- date of birth
- address
- phone number
- email address.
If you are 75 or over, you can still take part in bowel cancer screening every 2 years, but you will not automatically be invited. However, Phone you can call our free helpline on 0800 707 60 60 to request a kit.
If English is not your first language there are information leaflets in 30 languages please click on the link. we can arrange interpreter services for your appointments, please let us know by calling the free helpline 0800 707 60 60 so that we can arrange this.
Using the home test kit
To do the screening test, you need to collect a small amount of your poo using the kit. Please use a clean disposable container to collect your sample. You then send this sample in the post for testing. The kit includes prepaid packaging and full instructions.
Once we’ve checked your sample, we record the result and destroy the test kit and contents.
If you have any questions, please call our free helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
If you are sight impaired or you think you might have manual dexterity difficulties in completing the FIT kit please contact the same number and they can send you a FIT aid. 
You should get your results within 2 weeks of sending in your sample. There are 2 possible results:
- No further tests needed at this time
- Further tests needed.
No further tests needed at this time
Most people (around 98 in 100) have this result.
It means that we did not find any blood in your sample, or only a tiny amount which is less than the screening level.
We’ll offer you bowel cancer screening again in 2 years if you are under the age of 75
Further tests needed
Around 2 in 100 people have this result.
It means we found an amount of blood in your poo at or above the screening level. This is also known as a threshold.
Several things can cause blood in poo. We will offer you an appointment with a Specialist Screening Practitioner to discuss having a colonoscopy to check the cause of the blood.
A colonoscopy is a test to check inside your bowels.
You will receive an appointment letter for you to see a nurse called a Specialist
Screening Practitioner. They will talk to you about your medical history, your screening result and why having a colonoscopy is being offered to you. They will also answer any questions you may have.
The Specialist Screening Practitioner will work with you to decide if you can have a colonoscopy.
Here at Chesterfield we have a variety of appointment times including some into the early evening. Please contact the Bowel Cancer Screening Team on 01246 516189 if you need a more accessible appointment and we will do our very best to accommodate you.
On arrival for your colonoscopy don’t go to the main reception, instead go straight to the endoscopy department and report to the endoscopy reception. You may be with us for 2 to 3 hours so if you are being picked up by a relative or friend, make sure they are aware of this.
You will have your details checked on arrival.
Your details will be checked by the endoscopy nurse with your blood pressure before you get ready for your test.
To ensure your privacy and dignity are respected, designated male and female changing areas are provided for you to get changed into a gown.
When you are changed the endoscopy nurse will come and insert a cannula usually in the back of your hand , leaving a small plastic tube in place ready for the test in case you need some medication.
One of the nurses from the endoscopy room will come and collect you and you will be walked into the endoscopy room, where the Screening Practitioner and Screening Colonoscopist will be present with endoscopy nurses.
The test normally takes around 30-45 minutes on average but can take longer if a number of samples need to be collected.
Gas and air is available as an alternative to sedation. Your comfort levels will be monitored throughout, some patients find the gas and air useful alongside the sedation
Once your colonoscopy is over you will be taken to either the male or female recovery bay, where you will have your blood pressure re-checked and the cannula removed.
Once you are fit for discharge the recovery nurse will walk you down to the discharge area. Whilst you are waiting, you will be offered a warm drink and a biscuit. If you have had sedation you will need someone to take you home and stay with you for at least the next 12 hours.
The endoscopy nurse will discuss your test and you will be given written information and aftercare.
The screening nurse will call you the next working day to check your ID before asking how you are and give you the opportunity to ask any further questions. Any follow-up required will also be discussed.
We want everyone to be able to take part in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.
If you have a disability of any kind we will do our best help you to access our service. This might include extra time, quieter appointment times, mobility aides, easy read information or having a carer with you for your appointments.
Please contact the Team on 01246 516189 so we can do our very best to help you