Online learning modules
Our 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.
On this page, you can find our free online learning modules and the recordings of our previous virtual education events.
Catch up with previous education events
Online modules

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

Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) module
What is it: a 30 minute interactive online learning module
Who's it for: primary care health professionals
Content reviewed: June 2022
Learning outcomes:
- increase confidence in using the current Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) in symptomatic patients
- understand the key differences between the use of FIT in screening and in symptomatic patients
- understand which symptomatic patients are suitable for FIT testing
- understand the significance of safety netting FIT results in a symptomatic patient

Colorectal cancer – early diagnosis module
What is it: a one hour interactive online learning module
Who's it for: primary care health professionals
Content reviewed: February 2022
Learning outcomes:
- demonstrate an understanding of the skills necessary to identify and pick up cues about possible colorectal cancer symptoms and facilitate disclosure
- identify and apply specific screening questions to elicit risk of colorectal cancer
- increase knowledge and confidence in decision-making around colorectal cancer referrals
- discuss confidently with patients the reasons for referral and the next steps for diagnosis
- be aware of referral pathways, the process for urgent referrals, and safety netting processes
Cancer vaccine launch pad: What do colorectal cancer nurses need to know?
What is it: a one hour video learning module
Who's it for: colorectal clinical nurse specialists, endoscopists and specialist screening practitioners
Content reviewed: November 2024
Learning outcomes:
- Gain an understanding of what a cancer vaccine is
- Learn what the NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad is
- Understand who is eligible for participation in the NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad and associated colorectal cancer vaccine trial
- Understand the patient journey through the CVLP and associated colorectal cancer vaccine trial
- Understand how colorectal teams can support patients within the CVLP and associated colorectal cancer vaccine trial
Enhanced supportive care for patients with advanced disease
What is it: a one hour video learning module
Who's it for: colorectal clinical nurse specialists, endoscopists and specialist screening practitioners
Content reviewed: April 2024
Learning outcomes:
- the role of the metastatic nurse
- the evidence for the enhanced supportive care service
- how to refer patients to enhanced supportive care and when to refer to palliative care
- support for metastatic patients
Exploring surgical options for advanced colorectal cancer
What is it: a one hour video learning module
Who's it for: colorectal clinical nurse specialists, endoscopists and specialist screening practitioners
Content reviewed: November 2023
Learning outcomes:
- current surgical options for advanced colorectal cancer
- latest research in surgical treatments
- how to support bowel cancer patients throughout the pathway
Genetics and colorectal cancer: tumour testing and inherited risk
What is it: a one hour video learning module
Who's it for: colorectal clinical nurse specialists, endoscopists and specialist screening practitioners
Content reviewed: July 2023
Learning outcomes:
- current testing for colorectal cancer tumours
- influence of test results on treatment decisions
- referral procedures for inherited conditions
Panel discussion: Reducing late-stage diagnosis rates of bowel cancer
What is it: a one hour video learning module
Who's it for: colorectal clinical nurse specialists, endoscopists and specialist screening practitioners
Content reviewed: June 2023
Learning outcomes:
- integrated working across primary and secondary care
- developments in bowel cancer screening
- models of care
- priorities in policy and influencing
Supporting younger colorectal cancer patients
What is it: a one hour video learning module
Who's it for: colorectal clinical nurse specialists, endoscopists and specialist screening practitioners
Content reviewed: May 2023
Learning outcomes:
- unique challenges teenagers and young adults may face after a cancer diagnosis and treatment
- how to communicate with teenagers and young adults
- an overview of specialised units for younger people and the support they provide
Management of anaemia before colorectal cancer treatment
What is it: a one hour video learning module
Who's it for: colorectal clinical nurse specialists, endoscopists and specialist screening practitioners
Content reviewed: October 2022
Learning outcomes:
- the importance and benefits of pre-operative anaemia management
- the different treatment modalities in anaemia management
- patient outcomes and recent developments in anaemia management
- the role of colorectal clinical nurse specialists in anaemia management
National Colorectal Cancer Nurses Network Annual Education Event
What is it: a one hour video learning module
Who's it for: colorectal clinical nurse specialists, endoscopists and specialist screening practitioners
Content reviewed: September 2022
Learning outcomes:
- updates in advanced chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments for colorectal cancer
- use of FIT and options for diagnostic tests including colon capsule and CT colonoscopy and awareness of early age onset colorectal cancer
- the impact of the pandemic for people from a lower socio-economic background accessing services
- how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can improve the quality of life for people living with and beyond cancer
The evolution of pelvic exenteration surgery
What is it: a one hour video learning module
Who's it for: colorectal clinical nurse specialists, endoscopists and specialist screening practitioners
Content reviewed: July 2022
Learning outcomes:
- introduction to pelvic exenterative surgery
- key considerations when referring patients to exenterative units from surgical and nursing perspectives
- how to build a service and develop your team
Genomics II: Futureproofing your practice for genomics in cancer care
What is it: a one hour video learning module
Who's it for: colorectal clinical nurse specialists, endoscopists and specialist screening practitioners
Content reviewed: June 2022
Learning outcomes:
- how genomics affects professional roles
- how to plan and prepare for genomics in clinical practice
Genomics I: An overview of genomics in cancer care
What is it: a one hour video learning module
Who's it for: colorectal clinical nurse specialists, endoscopists and specialist screening practitioners
Content reviewed: May 2022
Learning outcomes:
- introduction to genomics
- effects on chemotherapy
- how genomics links with the National Cancer Transformation Programme