The bowel cancer screening programme in England will invite people aged 60-69 to take part in bowel cancer screening every two years. The programme started in April 2006 and is being phased in to cover all areas of England over three years. The plan is that by 2009 all people in their 60s should have been invited to take part.

If you are between 60 and 69 years of age and registered with a GP, when the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme reaches your area, you will be sent a testing kit. This kit is so that you can do the screening test at home.

If you are older than 69 years of age you won't automatically be invited to take part in screening. But, you can still take part by asking your GP for a testing kit to use at home. There should be information in the local papers about the screening programme to let you know when it reaches your area.

In the meantime, if you have any concerns about your bowel health you should see your GP.