Bowel Cancer Screening

At Welbeck, we offer a range of bowel cancer screening options, but colonoscopy remains the gold standard for accurate diagnosis and prevention, with 1 bowel cancer incidence prevented for every 28 colonoscopies performed.

In this short video, consultant gastroenterologist Dr Adam Haycock explains Welbeck’s bowel cancer screening service and the benefits of colonoscopy.

Types of private bowel cancer screening at Welbeck

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is the most accurate and effective way to detect and prevent bowel cancer. Using a thin, flexible camera, your consultant can examine the entire large bowel in detail, remove small growths (polyps), and take samples if needed — all in one procedure.
This approach not only identifies early signs of cancer but can also prevent it by removing precancerous changes before they develop.

At Welbeck, colonoscopies are performed by experienced specialists in our Digestive Health centre using advanced equipment and comfortable, private facilities. You’ll have your own recovery area, and anaesthetists are available to ensure your procedure is as relaxed and pain-free as possible. Our consultants maintain exceptionally high detection rates and take time to explain your results clearly, often on the same day — giving you fast, accurate answers and complete peace of mind.

A thorough colonoscopy offers:

• prevention: your doctor can give you an ‘all-clear’ on the day if they find no polyps or adenomas (benign tumours) during the colonoscopy

• treatment: your doctor can usually remove small polyps during the colonoscopy, so they won’t develop into cancer

• diagnosis: if your doctor finds any suspicious growths, they’ll take a biopsy to be sent to the lab for further testing

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

A flexible sigmoidoscopy examines the lower part of the large intestine using a narrow, flexible tube with a tiny camera. It can detect abnormalities in the lower bowel and is quicker and less invasive than a full colonoscopy. While sigmoidoscopy can be useful for detecting issues in the lower bowel, it doesn’t assess the entire colon, so some people may still benefit from a colonoscopy for a more complete examination.

Faecal immunochemical test (FIT)

We understand that some people might be hesitant about booking a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy. For those who prefer an at-home option, the FIT test is a simple, non-invasive way to look for small amounts of blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of bowel changes. It’s suitable for both people with symptoms and those without. If your FIT result is positive, your consultant will recommend a colonoscopy for a closer look. Our at-home FIT kit costs £60 and can be ordered by calling 020 4527 9385 or emailing clinical.digestivehealth@onewelbeck.com.

Virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography)

CT colonography, sometimes called a virtual colonoscopy, is a non-invasive scan that uses X-rays to create detailed 3D images of the bowel. It’s a good option for people who cannot have, or prefer not to have, a traditional colonoscopy. If the scan shows any abnormalities, your consultant will recommend a colonoscopy to confirm the findings or remove any growths detected. At Welbeck, we use high-quality CT scanners and our images are reviewed by expert gastrointestinal radiologists for maximum accuracy and reliability.

What happens if an abnormality is found?

If an abnormality is found during your screening, your consultant will discuss the options available to you. In many cases, small growths such as polyps can be removed straight away during your colonoscopy. If samples are sent for biopsy, your consultant will let you know when to expect the results. Typically, this will be within a few days. If further tests or treatment are needed, these will be arranged quickly and explained in full, so you understand every step. 

Alternatively, we can support your pathway with the NHS by providing you with your full report and transferring your results to your chosen clinic. We’ll then continue to monitor your progress to ensure you don't become lost in the system, and we’ll also double-check whether you received the necessary follow-up appointments our team recommended.

Bowel cancer screening is a highly valuable tool for early detection and prevention, but no test is completely without limitations or small risks. It’s important to understand what each method can and cannot tell us, so you can make informed choices about your care.

A colonoscopy is considered the most accurate form of bowel screening. However, as with any internal examination, there’s a small risk of complications such as bleeding, infection, or, very rarely, a small tear (perforation) in the bowel wall. These risks are uncommon and are minimised by the skill and experience of our specialists, as well as the safety measures in place at Welbeck.

CT-colonography (virtual colonoscopy) is a safe and effective alternative for some patients, although it does involve a very low dose of radiation. If anything unusual is seen on the scan, a follow-up colonoscopy may still be needed to confirm the findings or to remove growths.

For stool-based tests, a normal or negative result is reassuring, but it doesn’t completely rule out early changes or cancer developing in the future, so regular repeat testing is important.

At Welbeck, your consultant will explain the benefits, limitations, and possible risks of each screening option. Together, you’ll decide which test offers the safest, most accurate, and most appropriate approach for your personal health profile. Our goal is to protect your wellbeing, reduce unnecessary anxiety, and give you complete peace of mind throughout every step of your screening journey.

Once the most appropriate screening test has been chosen, your consultant will explain how you need to prepare for it. Each test will need different amounts of preparation, and it’s important to follow any instructions carefully to ensure you get the most accurate results.

Your recovery and aftercare will vary depending on the type of screening tests you have and if you have any sedation or anaesthesia. Your care team will explain what to expect after your screening and when you’ll be able to go home. 

Whichever test you’ve had, you’ll be taken to relax and recover in our private, comfortable surroundings at Welbeck. Your consultant will explain your results to you, and when you’re ready, you’ll be able to go home. If you had any biopsies during the procedure, your consultant may give you a date for a follow-up appointment. If you had a sedative, you’ll need someone to drive you home, and you shouldn’t drive or operate machinery until the next day.

At Welbeck, a private colonoscopy starts from £2,090. Please contact our Digestive Health centre for more information on how much your private bowel cancer screening will cost.

We understand that bowel cancer screening can be a daunting and uncomfortable experience. That’s why we’ve taken great care to ensure you feel at ease every step of the way. At Welbeck, our specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

If you’re asymptomatic (don’t have symptoms), you can self-refer for bowel cancer screening. If you have bowel cancer symptoms, you must consult your GP or a gastroenterologist for a referral.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with a Welbeck gastroenterologist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.