Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, and every year it gives us a vital opportunity to talk openly about something many of us still find uncomfortable: our bowels.
I understand the hesitation. Talking about poo isn’t exactly dinner-table conversation. But as a GP with a special interest in cancer services, I see every day the difference that early diagnosis makes. When bowel cancer is found early, treatment is often highly successful. When it is diagnosed later, outcomes can be much more challenging.
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK. It affects both men and women. While it is more common in people over 50, it can affect younger adults too. The encouraging news is that it is often very treatable—and even curable—when detected early.
That’s why the NHS bowel cancer screening programme is so important. Everyone aged 50 to 74 who is registered with a GP is automatically sent a home testing kit every two years. This is called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT). It’s quick, simple, and done in the privacy of your own home. You only need to collect a very small sample, pop it in the post, and that’s it. The test checks for tiny traces of blood in your stool—often an early sign of bowel cancer, before any symptoms develop.
While more than 70% of people over 60 in our region complete their screening, there is still room for improvement. Among younger people—particularly those invited for the first time—uptake can be as low as 50%.
This matters. Bowel cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in younger adults, so taking part in screening has never been more important. If you’re sent a test, please complete it. And if you notice any concerning symptoms, don’t ignore them—speak to your GP.
Screening doesn’t just detect cancer. It often identifies early changes in the bowel, such as small growths called polyps, which can develop into cancer over time. These rarely cause symptoms and can usually be removed during follow-up tests, such as a colonoscopy, helping to prevent more serious problems in the future.
So when your test arrives, don’t put it to one side. Keep it somewhere visible—like by the toilet—and try to complete it as soon as you can. It’s quick, straightforward, and could make a life-saving difference.
It’s also important to recognise the possible signs of bowel cancer. These can include blood in your stool, a change in your usual bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, persistent abdominal pain, or unusual tiredness. These symptoms are often caused by less serious conditions, but if they last for several weeks, it’s important to speak to your GP. Don’t wait for a screening test if you’re worried. So this April, I’m encouraging everyone to do three simple things:
Talking about poo might feel uncomfortable. But if it helps even one more person get an early diagnosis, it is absolutely worth it.
