Previously offered to everyone aged 54, people will now start receiving bowel cancer testing kits in the post in the year after their 50th or 52nd birthday.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK and chances of recovering from it are higher if it is spotted early.
The test kit – called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) – can be done in the comfort of your home and only needs a tiny sample of poo to test for signs of cancer. Once completed, you just send it back in the post. It works by detecting the smallest traces of blood in poo that may be invisible to the naked eye.
The FIT test is quick and easy to complete so don’t leave it in a drawer – put it by the loo and get it done as quickly as you can. Everyone aged over 50 will receive a test kit in the post every two years.
For more information about bowel cancer screening visit the NHS website.