Bowel cancer screening uptake rises across Surrey and Sussex as NHS urges people to return home test kits
Thousands more people across Surrey and Sussex are taking up lifesaving bowel cancer screening, with the NHS urging everyone sent a home test kit to complete it and return it.
The latest available figures show bowel cancer screening coverage has continued to rise across both Surrey and Sussex, with both areas above the national average.
In Surrey Heartlands, coverage among people aged 60 to 74 rose from 72.0% in 2021/22 to 75.4% in 2024/25. In Sussex, coverage rose from 73.3% to 75.3% over the same period. The England average for 2024/25 was 72.9%.
That means 131,285 people in Surrey Heartlands and 240,945 people in Sussex were covered by bowel cancer screening in 2024/25.
Bowel cancer screening is offered every two years to people aged 50 to 74. It uses a home test called a faecal immunochemical test, or FIT, which checks for blood in a sample of poo. The sample is collected at home and sent off by post for testing.
Screening can help find bowel cancer early, sometimes before symptoms appear, when treatment may be more effective.
People aged 50 to 74 who are registered with a GP are automatically sent a home test kit every two years. Depending on when they turned 50, people are first sent a kit at 50, 52 or 54.
People aged 75 or over can still be screened every two years, but need to ask for a test by calling the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.
Anyone who thinks they are eligible but has not been invited or has not received a test kit can also call the helpline. People without a permanent home address can ask for a test kit to be sent to their GP surgery or another address.
The NHS is also urging anyone with symptoms such as blood in their poo, a persistent change in bowel habits or ongoing stomach pain to contact their GP practice as soon as possible, whatever their age.
Dr Charlotte Canniff, Joint Chief Medical Officer for Surrey and Sussex, said:
It is really positive that more people across Surrey and Sussex are taking up the offer of bowel cancer screening. Screening leads to quicker diagnosis and treatment if needed, and ultimately, leads to the treatment that can save lives.
This is one of the easiest things people can do for their health. The test is quick, simple and can be done in the privacy of your own home.
If you are sent a bowel screening kit through the post, please do not ignore it or put it aside for later. Completing and returning it could help spot cancer early, before you have any symptoms, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
It could be the most important post you receive.