Detecting bowel cancer early is very simple and can be achieved with regular screening. This is done with faecal occult blood tests in the general population, and with colonoscopies in those at increased risk for cancer.

In the general population screening with faecal occult blood tests is provided for free by the government (National Bowel Cancer Screening Program) when you turn 50, 54, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 or 74 years. It is important to complete these tests every 2 years to get the full benefits of screening for bowel cancer prevention.