Bowel cancer is also called colon, rectal or colorectal cancer. Bowel cancer occurs when normal cells lining the inside of the bowel become abnormal and grow out of control. The cells can turn into a polyp (growth) and some polyps may eventually develop into cancer over a number of years. It can take a long time before the cancer grows and spreads to other parts of the body. Regular bowel screening, of people who are not experiencing any symptoms, provides an opportunity to find and treat bowel cancer at an early stage. Common symptoms of bowel cancer may include: a change to your normal pattern of going to the toilet that continues for several weeks blood in your bowel motion. Although these symptoms are usually caused by other conditions, it’s important to get them checked by your doctor. Do not wait to receive your screening test kit. Click here for information on what you can do to help reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer.

When it is your turn to be screened you will be sent an invitation letter, a consent form and a free bowel screening test kit. You'll receive your first invitation within two years of the programme starting in your area. Click here to find out when your District Health Board is expected to join the National Bowel Screening Programme. To find out more about why regular bowel cancer screening is important, click here. For more information about the bowel screening test, click here

A positive screening test result does not necessarily mean that bowel cancer is present. Small amounts of blood in a bowel motion are most commonly caused by polyps, or other minor conditions such as haemorrhoids (piles), which can easily be treated. A positive test result means that further investigation is required. This will usually be a colonoscopy (an internal examination of the large bowel). A colonoscopy involves a specially trained doctor or health professional putting a thin tube into your anus (bottom). There is a very small camera on the end of the tube which is used to examine the lining of your bowel, to see if there are any problems. A colonoscopy can identify whether polyps (growths) or cancers are present. If any polyps are found, they will generally be removed and sent to the laboratory to check for any cancer cells. Polyps are not cancers, but may develop into a cancer over a number of years. Removing polyps is usually painless. About seven in 10 people who have a colonoscopy as part of the National Bowel Screening Programme will have polyps, which if removed may prevent cancer developing About seven in 100 people who have a colonoscopy as part of the National Bowel Screening Programme will be found to have cancer and most will require treatment Colonoscopy is considered a safe procedure with few risks. However, as with most medical procedures, there can sometimes be problems. There is a very small risk that the colonoscopy procedure itself, or removal of polyps, will cause serious bleeding or damage to your bowel and you may need further treatment.