Men & Bowel Cancer

The government's bowel cancer screening programme began in 2006.

• More information on the bowel screening programme
• More information on bowel cancer and other bowel problems
• More on cancer in general
• DIY home MOT test including bowels
• Give us your views on men and bowel cancer

The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme helpline is 0800 707 60 60.

Latest news

May 2008: Half a million have been bowel cancer screened

June 2007: Expert advisory panel appointed

Feb 2007: DH funding for MHF research into cancer communication

Background

The government has been committed to the introduction of a national bowel cancer screening programme for several years.  In October 2004, the Secretary of State for Health announced that the Faecal Occult Blood test (FOBt) would be introduced for men and women in their sixties and the national screening programme commenced in 2006.

However, initial pilots showed that men were significantly less likely to take part in a screening programme.  This is particularly important as men are known to be at much greater risk of developing bowel cancer than women.

There are  a number of reasons why men are less likely to participate in a screening programme and the Forum is currently in discussion with the Department of Health and other partners to develop ways in which men can be better engaged in bowel cancer screening and, in turn, highlight more effective, general methods of working with men in health improvement.