Diagnosing bowel cancer

In this section, we talk about how bowel cancer is diagnosed, the tests you might have, and what happens when you visit your GP or the hospital.  

There are a few ways that bowel cancer can be diagnosed. Some people may notice symptoms of bowel cancer and speak to their GP before completing an at-home test. Others may be referred to the hospital for tests after completing a screening test, or after having other medical tests or procedures.  

The pages below break down this information to try and help you understand what tests you might have when you visit your GP and what will happen if you’re referred to a hospital for further tests. We also provide some advice on how to cope with a diagnosis.