Helping save so many lives since 2012
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland – it’s more common in people aged over 50, especially men.
That’s why everyone between the ages of 50 and 74 is sent a bowel cancer screening test every two years – it’s the most effective way to find the disease early by spotting hidden blood in your poo.
There are around 176,000 people in Scotland who have been diagnosed with cancer over the last 20 years and who are still alive.
That’s well over double the population of Inverness. It’s three years since the first bowel screening invitations were sent out.
In May 2015, of the men and women diagnosed between 2005 and 2009, findings showed that there was an 80.6 per cent survival rate for those diagnosed at stage one compared to 5.9 per cent at stage four.
The Scottish Bowel Screening Programme sent out invitations between November 1, 2012, and October 31, 2014, then published the results on August 4, 2015.
The screening programme began a phased roll-out in June 2007 with all NHS Boards in Scotland participating since December 2009.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland.
The bowel cancer screening test is the best way to find bowel cancer early.
All men and women aged 50- 74 are invited for bowel screening every two years in Scotland.
Anyone aged 75 or over can still take a bowel screening test every two years if they want to – they simply need to request a kit.
The test can be completed in the privacy of your own home, is free and could save your life.
For more information visit getcheckedearly. org.
To request a replacement kit call the Bowel Screening Centre Helpline on 0800 0121 833 or visiting www.bowelscreening.scot. nhs.uk.