31st December 2024

Screening for colorectal cancer

In England, people aged 60-74 (50-74 in Scotland) years are invited to participate in the bowel cancer screening programme. Those aged over 74 may request screening. Eligible patients are sent a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) through the post and those with abnormal results are offered a colonoscopy. At colonoscopy, approximately:

• 5 out of 10 patients will have a normal exam
• 4 out of 10 patients will be found to have polyps
• 1 out of 10 patients will be found to have cancer

As most cancers develop from adenomatous polyps, those at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer are offered surveillance colonoscopies ranging from once a year to every five years with the aim of excising polyps if and when they are considered to have malignant potential.