We have launched our latest campaign, to raise awareness of bowel cancer screening.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. About 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year. If it is found early, treatment is more likely to be successful.
On this page you can find out more about bowel cancer screening – the home test that can find cancer early.
And you can download all our posters and images to share on your websites and social media.
Bowel Cancer Screening
We want to raise awareness of bowel cancer screening and the importance of completing your at-home test.
Cancer screening is for people with no symptoms, and bowel cancer screening has already saved thousands of lives.
The test can help find cancer early, or find changes in your bowel that could lead to cancer before you notice them. If found early, it is easier to treat and more likely to be cured.
If you are aged between 50 and 74, you will be sent a bowel screening test in the post. All the instructions are included on the box. The test is quick and hygienic, and you do it at home. Just a tiny sample of poo is needed.
Campaign Resources
Here you can download all our posters and images to share on your websites and social media.
Download our campaign toolkit for:
- Aims and objectives
- Insights and evidence
- Key messages
- Suggestions for social media posts, newsletters and WhatsApp messages
- Links to other resources
If you need more information please get in touch.
Videos
A number of former Saints players are backing our campaign.
James Beattie, Mark Dennis, Jason Dodd, Pele, Glenn Cockerill, Jo Tessem, Mark Barrett and Ken Monkou gathered at a recent Saints Legends football match against Winchester City FC, where they discussed the importance of early detection.
Watch and share short videos of the Saints Legends here:
Social Media Images
Click on each image to enlarge and download.
Posters
Download our posters to display in your public spaces. If you’re in one of our target areas you can download the toilet roll poster with your place name.
Patient Story
Derek had no symptoms when he sent off his ‘poo stick’. He advises everyone to do their bowel screening. He says ‘It saved my life. It could save yours.’
Bowel Cancer Symptoms
Speak to your doctors surgery if you notice a change to what is normal for you, and it has lasted for three weeks or more.
Look out for these symptoms:
- Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
- A change in your poo that lasts a long time, or that you can’t explain
- Weight loss that you can’t explain
- Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
- A pain or lump in your tummy
If you go to see your doctor, they might ask you to take a FIT test. The results help them to decide whether to refer you for more tests. The test could be given to you by someone at your surgery, or it may arrive in the post.
It is very important that you complete the test and return it as soon as possible.
Useful Links
There are several cancer charities, some specifically for bowel cancer. They can provide support and advice if you have been diagnosed with bowel cancer. You can find more information on these websites: