Bowel screening

In 2006 a new National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme was announced for England, to be rolled out over 3 years. It is not anticipated that this will start in Sussex until late 2007.

Men and women aged 60-69 will be invited to take part in screening every two years.

The screening test is performed in the privacy of the home. Test kits will come from and be returned to Guildford by post. Following laboratory analysis, subsequent investigations will be done locally. The test is called a faecal occult blood test (FOBt) and is used to detect hidden traces of blood in faeces.

For more information on the National Programme please see the NHS National Bowel Screening Programme website.