Around 45,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK.

The bowel is made up of the small bowel and the large bowel and is part of your digestive system. Bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) starts in the large bowel.

Bowel cancer is treatable if it is diagnosed earlier enough. The earlier that it is treated,the better.

The screening programme for bowel cancer in the UK used to start when someone turned 54, and they would receive a testing kit every two years until they reach age 74.

The test is called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT), and it is sent to you in the post. You have to collect a small amount of poo, which is tested in a lab. The sample will be checked for any blood in your poo because this is one of the signs of bowel cancer. You will be contacted with the results, and you might need to have further tests, or be seen by a specialist. Having blood in your poo is not always because of bowel cancer, but it is important to always have it checked.

The NHS has announced that the screening programme will now start at age 50, which means that 850,000 people in England aged between 50 and 52 will receive postal test kits.

You can ask your GP for a test if you are concerned about the symptoms of bowel cancer*, which include:

• Bleeding from your bottom 
• Blood in your poo 
• A change in your pooing habits. You might be going more or less often, or have diarrhoea or constipation that might come and go 
• Losing weight but you’re not sure why 
• A pain or lump in your tummy 

*Source – Bowel Cancer UK.

‍

Gemma Lewis, Partner and Specialist Medical Negligence Solicitor from MDS, said “It is great news that the screening programme for bowel cancer has been extended and will now start at a younger age. Hopefully, this will mean that more cases are detected early, and lives will be saved”.

‍

MDS is a specialist medical negligence law firm. We specialise in claims involving cancer, maternity, and cauda equina syndrome. Our expert solicitors represent clients all around England and Wales, and we are dedicated to helping people who have been injured by medical negligence.

‍

Our solicitors have extensive experience of representing clients and their families whose lives have been affected by delays in diagnosis of cancer. Click here to read more about how we can help you.

‍

If you are concerned about any care that you or a member of your family has received, please contact our experienced team on 0116 254 7456 or email: enquiries@moosaduke.com. You can also enquire online by clicking here.

‍