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INSERT PRACTICE HEADER
Patient Name
Patient Address
Date
Dear [insert patient name],
Important information about the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
You were recently invited to take part in the NHS England National Bowel Cancer Screening
Programme which is offered to people aged 60-74 and you would have received a bowel cancer
kit. I have been advised that you have not returned the test kit for analysis.I would like to
encourage you to reconsider your decision and take the opportunity to do the test.
The bowel cancer screening kit is a simple and painless test which can help detect bowel cancer
at an early stage, in people with no noticeable symptoms, when treatment is much more likely to
be effective. Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, however
it is also one of the most curable, if detected early. It is thought that this easy test could avoid 1
in 6 deaths from bowel cancer.
The test kit is used privately in your own home. A pre-paid envelope is provided for you to
send the completed kit to an NHS laboratory for processing. Results are posted back to you
about 2 weeks later. Please remember that the screening kit is designed for people who do not
have any symptoms. Should you have any symptoms or signs of concern, please contact me at the
practice.
Millions of people around the world have completed the test kit and continue to do so as it
helps to save lives. This is why we are encouraging all the patients at our GP practice to
complete the test kit that they receive in the post.
If you would like to participate and no longer have the test kit and now wish to take part, you can
call the screening freephone helpline on 0800 707 6060.
If you need further information and advice, please call the freephone helpline on 0800 707
6060 or visit the website www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk. You can of course contact me or INSERT
NAME OF ALTERNATIVE CONTACT at any time to discuss any concerns you may have.
Yours sincerely
INSERT GP NAME AND ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE
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