Does Bowel Screening Work?

Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.

What can bowel screening detect?

Screening aims to detect bowel cancer at an early stage, when treatment has the best chance of working. The test can also find polyps (non-cancerous growths), which might develop into cancer. Polyps can usually be removed, to lower the risk of bowel cancer.

Does bowel screening always detect cancer?

Bowel cancer screening aims to detect bowel cancer at an early stage, in people with no symptoms. This is when treatment is most likely to be effective. Bowel cancer screening can also detect polyps in the bowel. These are not cancers, but may develop into cancers over time.