Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP)
The NHS launched the bowel cancer screening programme (BCSP) in 2006, with full roll-out achieved by 2009.
The programme automatically invited men and women aged 60–9, who were registered with a GP, to participate in the screening programme.
Patients would use a kit at home to provide a sample for testing. Men and women eligible for screening received an invitation letter explaining the programme; and around a week later a faecal occult blood (FOB) test kit would be sent out.
In December 2007, the cancer reform strategy stated that, from 2010, the BCSP would be extending the age range for screening to include people up to the age of 75.
Logan R, Patnick J, Nickerson C, Coleman L, Rutter M, von Wagner C.
Outcomes of the bowel cancer screening programme (BCSP) in England after the first one million tests
Gut.
2012; 61: 1439–1446.
Department of Health
Cancer reform strategy
NHS; 2007.