Bowel cancer screening

Is your bowel cancer screening kit sitting at the back of a drawer?

If you’re 50 to 74, you should have received your NHS bowel cancer screening kit (also known as a FIT kit) 
through the post. That’s because the NHS will automatically send you a kit every two years.

Out of every 5,000 people who use their test kit, nine turn out to have cancer. But if it’s spotted earlier, the 
chances of recovering from bowel cancer are higher.

The test can be done in the comfort of your home and only needs a tiny sample of poo to test for signs of 
cancer.

So, dig out the bowel cancer testing kit that you hid in that bottom drawer. Or, if you haven’t received it yet, 
look out for it in the post. And then put it by the loo. Don’t put it off.

Find out more about bowel cancer screening at nhs.uk/bowel

Published on 29 April 2026