Online learning modules
These online learning modules have been developed to support primary and secondary care health professionals to deliver the highest possible standards of treatment, care and support for people affected by bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer – Supporting prevention, early diagnosis and optimal management
What is it: a 1.5 CPD hour module lesson with post learning assessment
Who's it for: Primary care nurses
Content reviewed: July 2024
Learning outcomes:
- Identify the risk factors for bowel cancer
- Identifying signs and symptoms of bowel cancer
- Understand the criteria for urgent referral for suspected bowel cancer
- Develop an understanding of the national screening programme for early detection of bowel cancer and how nurses can help promote this
- Recognise the main approaches to management of bowel cancer and how nurses can be involved in supporting patients after diagnosis and treatment
Key questions on the use of FIT in primary care
What is it: a two CPD hour module lesson with post learning assessment
Who's it for: General Practitioners
Content reviewed: July 2024
Learning outcomes:
This module will enhance GPs’ understanding of the FIT including:
- The rationale for the use of FIT to guide cancer referral decisions in general practice
- The appropriate diagnostic thresholds and why they are used
- Which patients should be asked to perform a FIT and how the result should be interpreted
- The purpose of the FIT in patients with overt rectal bleeding
- When and what further investigations are required in patients with a negative FIT
- How to manage a FIT-positive patient with negative colonoscopy
National screening programmes – bowel screening
What is it: a one hour learning module
Who's it for: primary healthcare professionals
Content reviewed: February 2024
Learning outcomes:
- Explore the role and reliability of national screening programmes
- Recognise the role of primary care in supporting/increasing screening uptake and practical initiatives that may drive uptake
- Recognise under-represented groups and their potential reasons for declining screening
- Discuss screening programmes confidently with patients, including their potential reasons for declining screening
Colorectal cancer in young people
What is it: a 20 minute video learning module
Who's it for: primary care health professionals
Content reviewed: May 2023
Learning outcomes:
- an introduction to colorectal cancer in under 50s, addressing the importance of earlier diagnosis and highlighting incidence rates
- develop a clear understanding of the use of FIT Testing in symptomatic patients and counsel of active rectal bleeding
Lynch syndrome
What is it: a 20 minute video learning module
Who's it for: primary care health professionals
Content reviewed: May 2023
Learning outcomes:
- an introduction to the different lynch cancers
- what is a lynch family history?
- the importance of personalised medicine in primary care
Colorectal cancer – Early Diagnosis
What is it: a one hour interactive online learning module
Who's it for: primary care health professionals
Content reviewed: April 2025
Learning outcomes:
- assess possible colorectal cancer risk through symptom recognition and identify when persistent symptoms should be investigated
- identify when to utilise the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) in symptomatic patients
- distinguish the key differences between the use of FIT in screening and in symptomatic patients
- communicate clearly with patients if referred on a suspected cancer pathway, explaining the next steps towards diagnosis, or provide appropriate safety netting advice