Bowel cancer screening is a technique of identifying people who may have bowel cancer or a precursor by testing samples of their stool for the presence of hidden blood.  The recognised method to screen for bowel cancer used by all large scale screening programmes world wide is a Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT).  An FOBT, used to test for hidden blood in the stool, is the most clinically studied and efficient screening method for the detection of bowel polyps and bowel cancer and has been proven to reduce mortality by approximately 33% when carried out annually.

Pre-cancerous polyps and cancers bleed and this blood can be detected in the stool.  Bleeding can occur intermittently or be found in only one part of the stool and can be so small in amount as to be hidden (occult).  These small amounts of occult blood in the stool are often the only symptom of bowel cancer in the early stages.  The faecal occult blood test offered by the NIBCSP tests for hidden blood in the stool on three different days within a 10 day period.  As 2 different areas of the stool are sampled each day, this greatly increases the chances of detection.  (see Test Kit Instructions for full details).  An FOBT is a non-invasive test which is easily performed in the comfort of your home.

Your risk of bowel cancer increases with age and the worldwide recommendation for bowel cancer screening is to start around the age of 40 and certainly no later than 50, as more than 9 out of 10 people who get bowel cancer are over this age. 

Regular screening tests are also recommended if you have a personal or family history of bowel cancer, adenomatous  polyps, or a history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease such as Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease.

It should be noted that there have been some well publicised cases where the individual has been in their early 30s and therefore bowel cancer should not be considered an ‘old persons' disease.  This is why regular screening for bowel cancer is recommended to everyone who wishes for whatever reason.