The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme posts a free home test kit – a faecal immunochemical test, or FIT – to everyone aged 50 to 74 who is registered with a GP, once every two years.

Depending on exactly when you turn 50, your first kit arrives at age 50, 52 or 54; you complete the simple test privately at home and post the sample back free of charge in the prepaid envelope provided.

Anyone 75 or over who would like to keep being screened can request a free kit by calling the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060 every two years.