Our work in Northern Ireland
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Northern Ireland and the second biggest cancer killer. Every year more than 1,300 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Northern Ireland and around 500 people die from the disease. However bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early.
We undertake a range of activities in Northern Ireland as part of our work to save lives and improve the quality of life for all those affected by bowel cancer.
We raise awareness
A key part of our work in Northern Ireland is delivering bowel health and screening talks. This is an ideal way to raise awareness of Northern Ireland's second biggest cancer killer and encourage good bowel health.
Volunteers in Northern Ireland, who've been affected by bowel cancer in some way, deliver online bowel cancer awareness talks to workplaces and community groups, helping people to understand the signs, symptoms, and risk factors, as well as the importance of screening. Find out more and book a talk.
We provide information and support
We publish a wide range of free patient information covering all aspects of bowel cancer; from treatment and surgery to dietary advice and much more. Our booklets and factsheets are used by many hospitals and are given to patients when they're newly diagnosed or at certain points throughout the course of their treatment. For more information on how to download or order our information, click here.
We educate healthcare professionals
Our training and education equips healthcare professionals with the knowledge and confidence to support early diagnosis and best treatment and care. We have delivered a wide range of training and education across Northern Ireland – including GP study evenings, nurse study days and bowel health and screening workshops.
Keep up to date with our latest training, education and study days
- Dr Kevin Barrett - IBD flare management in Primary Care and supporting patients with IBD
- Mr Tim McAdam - Assessing potential bowel cancer symptoms – when to refer?
- Dr Martin Eatock - Update on Pancreatic Cancer
Over 40 GPs attended the event and we found that 100% of attendees found the course useful or very useful, and 97% said that they could apply the knowledge learned. To find out more about our GP study evenings please email [email protected].
We campaign
We campaign to improve early diagnosis of bowel cancer and access to best treatment and care - we've had a number of successes.
After years of campaigning, the Department of Health in Northern Ireland announced in September 2026 that they will be extending the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in Northern Ireland to include people aged 50, using a phased implementation approach. From 2 November 2026, people aged 59 in Northern Ireland will begin receiving invitations for bowel cancer screening, marking the start of a phased rollout that will extend screening to everyone aged 50-74 by 2031. People aged 58 will be invited from 1 April 2027, those between 50-57 joining the programme over the following years. Our community has long called to extend the bowel cancer screening age, bringing it in line with the UK National Screening Committee’s recommendations and the rest of the UK. This is a huge win for the people of Northern Ireland and has the potential to save thousands of lives.
Our flagship Never Too Young campaign has changed GP referral guidelines to include younger people for the first time.
We also successfully campaigned for the introduction of NICE guidelines recommending testing for signs of Lynch syndrome in all bowel cancer patients. Lynch syndrome can raise the risk of bowel cancer to up to 80%. As part of this, we e asked all hospitals in the UK if they're testing all bowel cancer patients for Lynch syndrome at the point of diagnosis. Up until November 2019 only the Western Trust in Northern Ireland was testing every bowel cancer patient at diagnosis but now all health trusts across Northern Ireland have implemented testing
In June 2019, as part of a week of action, we took our #TimetoTest petition to Stormont, calling for better identification and management of people with Lynch syndrome.
Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy
In 2022, a 10-year Cancer Strategy for Northern Ireland was launched by then Health Minister, Robin Swann. This setting the direction for transforming cancer services from 2022 to 2033 so that everyone in Northern Ireland has equitable, timely access to evidence-based referral, diagnosis, treatment, support and person-centred care. Its three core aims were to reduce preventable cancers, improve survival, and improve the experience of people living with and dying from cancer. Bowel Cancer UK were involved in multiple subgroups which helped to develop the recommendations for the strategy. We also provided a consultation response detailing requirements to have a world class service for the bowel cancer community.
Northern Ireland Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
A phased rollout to extend screening from everyone aged 50-74 will begin on 2 November 2026, with people aged 59 being invited to take part. Previously, only people aged 60-74 were eligible to take part in the programme. People aged 58 will then begin to receive invitations from 1 April 2027, with progressively younger age groups invited in the years ahead. The programme is expected to reach people aged 50-74 by 2031.
While this represents a significant step forward, we know there is more to do. Northern Ireland continues to use a less sensitive screening test threshold than Scotland and Wales, meaning opportunities to detect bowel cancer and pre-cancerous polyps earlier may still be missed. We encourage anybody who is eligible for screening, to take part in the bowel cancer programme.
Find out more about bowel screening in Northern Ireland.
Become a campaign supporter
You can campaign with us and sign up as a campaign supporter to help us improve early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care for all those affected. Sign up and support our campaigns.
We fundraise
We're determined to help save lives but we can't do this without you. There are lots of ways you can support us in Northern Ireland and help fund vital services and lifesaving research to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer.
One wonderful woman, Rosi Kirker Miller, championed the cause to raise awareness in Northern Ireland. She tirelessly campaigned for greater awareness of bowel cancer and better screening despite knowing she could not be cured. Sadly, Rosi passed away but her family and friends have continued to support us and raise awareness and funds.
Here are some of the ways that you can join us:
There are lots of ways you can support us in Northern Ireland and help us to stop bowel cancer. Join our team to run, cycle, abseil, skydive or bake a cake, and we'll support you all the way. Contact us at [email protected] or find an event near you using the link below.