Bowel cancer screening

What is bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a common form of cancer. Screening aims to detect the cancer at a very early stage, even before you start to display symptoms. Early detection means treatment is likely to be far more effective.

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Symptoms of bowel cancer

Watch our video to find out more about the symptoms of bowel cancer and how it is diagnosed.

Need to know

What happens during your initial consultation? icon plus
Your consultant will ask about your symptoms and whether you have a family history of bowel cancer.

Screening can include:
- a physical examination of your tummy and the inside of your bottom by your consultant
- the insertion of a very small camera up your bottom in order to view your colon on a monitor
- taking a small sample from inside your colon for tests
- the inspection of your bowel using a slighter longer camera than the one used for your colon
- a scan of your bowel and rectum.
In each of the tests you'll not be given an anaesthetic. They may feel uncomfortable, but they are not painful.
How to prepare icon plus

Your bowel will need to be empty before any screening tests are carried out.

You may be asked to eat a special diet and take a laxative to make you go to the toilet before you visit your consultant.
After your screening icon plus

Screening should take no more than an hour to complete and you'll be able to go home afterwards. Your consultant will advise on the test results and advise of any next steps.

Our consultants

We're proud to work with leading experts across a range of medical fields, whose skills are matched by their integrity and compassion.

Our facilities

From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.

The Princess Grace Hospital

42-52 Nottingham Place

London W1U 5NY

Appointments 020 7908 8001
Enquiries 020 7486 1234
The Wellington Hospital

Wellington Place

London NW8 9LE

Appointments 020 7483 5148
Enquiries 020 7586 5959
London Bridge Hospital

27 Tooley Street

London

SE1 2PR

Appointments & Enquiries 020 7234 2009
Imaging Appointments 020 7234 2773
The Harley Street Clinic

35 Weymouth Street

London

W1G 8BJ

Appointments 020 7034 8181
Enquiries 020 7935 7700
The Lister Hospital

Chelsea Bridge Road

London

SW1W 8RH

Appointments 020 7730 8298
London Digestive Centre

41 Welbeck Street

London

W1G 8DU

Call 020 7908 8003
Opening hours Monday - Friday: 8am - 8pm
London Digestive Surgery

41 Welbeck Street

London

W1G 8DU

Call 020 3131 5319
Opening hours Monday - Friday: 8am - 8pm
All of our upper GI and colorectal consultant are at our Chiswick clinic on Saturdays
London Digestive Health

2nd Floor

41 Welbeck Street

London W1G 8DU

Call 020 7616 7642
Opening hours Monday - Friday: 8.30am - 7pm