Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Scotland. Bowel screening aims to find cancer at an early stage when there are no signs or symptoms.
Early detection is key. At least 9 out of 10 people will survive bowel cancer if it is found and treated early.
Bowel screening is currently offered every 2 years to people who are aged between 50 and 74 and live in Scotland. The test is for people aged 50 years and older because their risk of having bowel cancer is higher.
When working with older people, especially those with dementia, there are important considerations to take into account, such as, capacity and ability to consent to test and undergo treatment .
In paternership Public Health, the Bowel Screening Service at the WGH and the Care Home Programme Team, have developed two bowel screening booklets.
One booklet is for health and social care staff containing information on the national bowel screening programme and the importance of informed consent. It includes several examples to help staff when they are considering issues to do with consent and capacity.
The second booklet is for for people living in adult Care Homes, their family and friends.
These Bowel Screening booklets can be found below or you can find them on the Bladder and Bowel Care Homes webpage in the section Bowel Screening.
