Remember When…

Health and care partners launch #RememberWhen campaign to encourage bowel cancer screening

4 February 2025

Health and care partners in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire have launched a campaign to encourage more people to take part in bowel cancer screening.

Bowel cancer screening is now offered from the age of 50 and the #RememberWhen campaign aims to capture the attention of people aged between 50 and 74 through nostalgia for iconic items and events in our local history.

Highlighted events include The Beatles performing in Weston-super-Mare in the summer of 1963 and the last Concorde being built in Filton 20 April 1979. Other nostalgic moments include the invention of the Walkman and a well-known push bike known as the Raleigh Chopper. If you can remember these historical events, then you are eligible for bowel cancer screening. The social media campaign will be directing people to more information about the importance of bowel cancer screening.

Dr Glenda Beard, a Bristol GP and Cancer Lead for Bristol, North somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB, said:

“Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in England. If caught early people have the best chance of being cured as well as requiring less aggressive treatment. Importantly, bowel screening can also prevent bowel cancer as a positive test means an endoscopy (telescope test to look at the bowel) will be offered during which growths can be removed before they even become cancer. Let’s not forget the adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ – it really is true here!”

“We hope the #RememberWhen campaign will capture people’s attention and raise awareness of bowel cancer screening and the importance of taking part when invited.”

Bowel cancer screening tests are sent to people’s homes every two years from the age of 50 to 74. The stool sample is collected at home before being sent in the post back to the NHS screening lab. The sample is tested to look for traces of blood and the results are usually received by letter within two weeks.

Dr Glenda Beard adds:

“We know that people can find doing the poo test difficult but lining an old plastic container, with a couple of layers of toilet roll to collect your sample makes it straightforward to use the kit. You can then flush the rest of the poo away. It only takes minutes and could save your life.”

Symptoms of bowel cancer include:

  • Discomfort in the stomach
  • Blood in poo
  • Diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason
  • The feeling of not emptying your bowels after going for a poo
  • Stomach or bottom pain
  • Poo that’s loose, pale or looks greasy

Dr Glenda Beard added:

“Bowel cancer screening is important to prevent bowel cancer and identify it at an early stage but if you have symptoms such as unexplained diarrhoea or abdominal pain, please book an appointment with your GP as you may still need tests. A negative bowel cancer screening test doesn’t mean symptoms can be ignored.”

If you do not have a permanent address to receive a bowel cancer screening kit you can contact the bowel screening helpline on 0800 707 6060 to ask for your kit to be sent to another address.

Screening invites stop at age 74 but you can choose to continue to be screened every two years by contacting the bowel cancer screening helpline 0800 707 6060.

 

If you remember when The Beatles performed in Weston-super-Mare in 1963, then it’s time to complete your bowel cancer screening.

What to do when you receive your bowel cancer screening kit

To test for bowel cancer, a sample of poo is required for testing.

The test comes with a plastic stick and tube for sample collection and is then sent to your local NHS screening hub.

Once you receive your bowel cancer screening kit, it is important to take the test and send it back as soon as possible.

Find out more information about bowel cancer screening on the NHS website.

The test is quick and easy to complete. Watch this step-by-step guide on how to complete your bowel cancer screening test.

Get a new bowel cancer screening kit

Bowel cancer screening kits arrive by post every two years, as soon as you become eligible.

If you’re 75 or over, or have previously had a kit and did not return it, you can ask for a bowel cancer screening kit by phoning the free helpline on 0800 707 6060.

Symptoms of bowel cancer should not be ignored.

Symptoms include:

  • Discomfort in the stomach
  • Blood in poo
  • Diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason
  • The feeling of not emptying your bowels after going for a poo
  • Stomach or bottom pain
  • Poo that’s loose, pale or looks greasy

Speak to your GP

If something doesn’t look right, please speak to your GP as soon as possible. In most cases, it may not be something to worry about but the sooner you speak to your GP the better the outcome.