The UK NSC recommendation on Bowel Cancer screening in adults

Recommendation	Systematic population screening programme recommended
Last review completed	August 2018
Next review due in	2021/22

Key downloads	Plain English summary of UK NSC recommendation Last external review - 1. Covernote_Optimising Bowel Cancer Screening Last external review - 2. Optimising Bowel Cancer Screening Phase 1 Report Last external review - 3. Optimising Bowel Cancer Screening Phase 1 Appendices UK NSC coversheet and consultation responses

The UK NSC recommends a change to the test used in the Bowel Cancer Screening Programmes. The use of Faecal Immunochemical Test as the primary test for bowel cancer should replace guaiac Faecal Occult Blood Test.

Find general information about population health screening.

More about Bowel Cancer

Colorectal cancer – commonly known as colon cancer, or bowel cancer – is any cancer that affects the last section of the digestive system. This usually means the colon (large bowel) or rectum (back passage).

Screening in the UK

Compare how screening is offered across the UK.

Stakeholders

• The Assocation of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland
• Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
• Beating Bowel Cancer
• Bowel Cancer UK
• Bowel Cancer Wales
• The British Association for Cancer Research
• British Association of Surgical Oncology
• The British Association of Urological Surgeons
• British Society of Gastroenterology
• Cancer Research UK
• Faculty of Public Health
• Joint Advisory Group on GI Endoscopy
• Lynn's Bowel Cancer Campaign
• Macmillan
• Medical Research Council
• Northern Ireland Cancer Network
• Royal College of General Practitioners
• Royal College of Nursing
• Royal College of Pathologists
• Royal College of Physicians
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
• Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
• Royal College of Radiologists
• Royal College of Surgeons
• Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
• Society and College of Radiographers
• Urostomy Association

The stakeholder groups will be involved when the recommendation is next reviewed. If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us. More information for stakeholders can be found in appendix C of the UK NSC evidence review process.

Recommendation Review History

Bowel cancer screening by Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) testing for men and women aged 50 to 74 was recommended by the UK NSC in July 2003 (the meeting minutes are available and the report on the evaluation of the UK colorectal cancer screening pilot can be downloaded below).

In 2011, the UK NSC agreed that screening for bowel cancer using flexible sigmoidoscopy also meets the UK NSC criteria. This review is available in the related documents section below.

In 2015 the UK NSC recommended a change to the Bowel Cancer Screening Programmes. The use of Faecal Immunochemical Test as the primary test for bowel cancer should replace guaiac Faecal Occult Blood Test. The review documents and UK NSC recommendation statement are available in the related document section below.

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