Mary Kennedy, a patient and public partnership representative for BowelScreen, got an early cancer diagnosis after she did her first home screening test at age 61. “I’d heard about BowelScreen from radio adverts and from friends. When the letter arrived inviting me to take part I didn’t hesitate; BowelScreen is free and is another way I can look after my health.”
Ms Kennedy considers herself, “so lucky . . . If I hadn’t taken part in screening the cancer might have been found at a much more advanced stage when the treatment could be more difficult”. Ms Kennedy is so positive about her BowelScreen experience that she wants to “shout it from the rooftops”, encouraging others to take part. Her experience demonstrates the potentially life-changing impact of taking part in screening.
While Ms Kennedy’s story highlights the benefits of screening, around one in two eligible people choose not to take part in the BowelScreen programme. The most common reasons for not taking part include fear of finding something wrong, not knowing how to access bowel screening and uncertainty about eligibility. These factors suggest that some people may decide not to participate, without having all the information they need to make an informed choice.
This is why the HSE BowelScreen team works continuously to inform people that taking part in bowel screening can prevent or find cancer early. Personal invitation letters, reminder texts, digital communications and national awareness campaigns all play an important role. Conversations with trusted healthcare professionals can also help raise awareness and understanding, address concerns and encourage participation in bowel screening.
Community pharmacy teams are ideally placed to hold these conversations. Among the most accessible and trusted healthcare professionals in Ireland, these teams interact daily with people eligible for BowelScreen in villages, towns and cities across the country. BowelScreen is collaborating with the IPU, through the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025, to encourage greater participation in bowel screening. BowelScreen initially provided education and training modules to community pharmacy teams to help them feel more knowledgeable discussing bowel screening and answering people’s questions.
Equipped with this knowledge, pharmacy teams can address some of the barriers that prevent people from taking part. They can explain who is eligible, how to register, how to order and use the home test kit. They can also provide reassurance about common concerns, such as embarrassment, hygiene or discomfort.
From October, over 1,500 participating pharmacies will take part in a promotional campaign, placing an orange sticker on prescription bags for people eligible for BowelScreen. The stickers encourage people to speak with their pharmacy team about bowel screening. While small in size, the stickers are highly visible and contain clear and simple messaging to spark conversations. These conversations will create opportunities to answer questions and encourage people to consider taking part in BowelScreen.
The impact of the sticker keeps working after the patient returns home. It includes the BowelScreen QR code and the freephone number, so people can register and request a home test kit.
Every prescription bag presents an opportunity to raise awareness, answer questions, and support informed decision-making. If you only have two minutes with the person in the pharmacy, consider sharing these key messages:
A simple conversation today could make a lasting difference to someone’s health.
Further information and supporting resources for pharmacy teams can be found at the IPU BowelScreen Hub (see ipu.ie > Professional > BowelScreen programme).
References available on request.
Photo caption: Michael O’Connor pharmacist, O’Connor’s Pharmacy Douglas Cork with Deirbhle Joyce, Professional Services Pharmacist, Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) and Norma Deasy, Communications Manager, National Screening Services.
Norma Deasy
Communications Manager, National Screening Service, HSE
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