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Home / Detection and Diagnosis / Screening Programs / Bowel Cancer Screening

Bowel Cancer Screening

Screening for bowel cancer can reduce the risk of death from bowel cancer in people over the age of 50. It is important that you have regular bowel check-ups with your doctor, if you are over 50 years of age or have any warning signs for bowel cancer, family history of bowel cancer. If your doctor suspects any abnormal lumps or swelling in your rectum, then he/she will order a Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) or sigmoidoscopy for further screening.

What is Faecal Occult Blood Test?

This test involves collecting three small samples of faeces (bowel motions) collected on different occasions, smearing them on a slide and sending them to a laboratory to be checked. You do the test in your own home, and return the samples to your doctor or laboratory for analysis. The test can detect microscopic amounts of blood in faeces. If there is blood present, this may have come from a cancer in the bowel. Your doctor will advise you if you need to follow any special dietary restrictions during the testing period.

A positive screening test using FOBT means that blood has been detected in a sample, and bowel cancer may be present.

Everyone who has a positive test should have further tests to find out whether or not they have bowel cancer. Most will not have cancer, but a few will, and early diagnosis will greatly improve their chance of cure. Remember, there is a 90 per cent chance of cure if the cancer is found at an early stage.

Where can I get my test?

Please ask your doctor about having an FOBT.

How often do I need to have FOBT?

It is recommended that people over the age of 50 who are concerned about their risk of developing bowel cancer, and who do not have a family history of bowel cancer, have an FOBT.

What is Sigmoidoscopy?

Sigmoidoscopy is another test which can be used to screen for bowel cancer. This test involves a doctor examining the rectum and lower colon through a flexible or rigid tube which is inserted into the anus. The benefits of screening by sigmoidoscopy are not as well established as with FOBT, but it is likely to be highly protective.