30/04/2026
20 Years of NHS Bowel Cancer Screening –
ℹ️ What You Need to Know
April 2026 marks a significant milestone - 20 years of the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, a service that has helped save thousands of lives through earlier detection and timely treatment.
Bowel cancer remains one of the most common cancers in the UK, but screening continues to be one of our most effective tools. The at-home FIT kit is quick, simple, and free and it enables us to identify potential issues at the earliest possible stage, when treatment has the greatest impact.
🙋🏽 Who is invited?
Anyone aged 50 to 74 and registered with a GP is invited to take part in the bowel cancer screening programme. Your FIT kit is sent directly to your home address and includes everything you need, with full instructions. You will receive a kit every two years.
If you were born after 1 June 1974, you should receive your first test kit when you turn 50. If you were born before 1 June 1974, you will receive your first kit when you turn 52.
✅ Keep your GP details up to date
To make sure your test kit reaches you, it’s important that your GP has your correct:
• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Phone number
• Email address
Please contact your GP practice if any of your details have changed.
🧓🏻 Aged 75 or over?
If you’re 75 or older, you won’t receive automatic invitations, but you can still take part in bowel cancer screening every two years by requesting a FIT kit.
☎️ Need help or more information?
If you have questions about bowel cancer screening or think you should have received a kit, contact the free helpline: 0800 707 60 60.
This helpline can be used to request a new test kit, ask questions about the process, or update personal details.
Taking part in bowel cancer screening could save your life, please don’t ignore your invitation. 🙏
