The bowel cancer screening programme in Scotland will invite people aged 50- 74 to have tests to screen for bowel cancer every two years. The programme started in 2007 and is being phased in to cover all areas of Scotland over 30 months. The plan is that by December 2009 all people between 50 and 74 should have been invited to take part.

If you are between 50 and 74 years of age and registered with a GP, you will be sent a FOB testing kit when the Scottish Bowel Cancer Screening Programme reaches your area. By following the instructions sent with the kit you can carry out the test yourself at home. You can then send it to the bowel screening centre in Dundee.

If you have any concerns about your bowel health while you are waiting to take part in screening, don't delay, go to see your GP in the usual way.

For more information about bowel screening in Scotland go to the Scottish bowel cancer screening website at www.bowelscreening.scot.nhs.uk, or call the Scottish bowel screening helpline on 0845 270 0030.