Your local community pharmacy team can now help you learn more about BowelScreen and support you to take part. BowelScreen is Ireland’s free bowel screening programme for everyone aged 57 to 71.
From October 2026, over 1,500 participating pharmacies in villages, towns and cities across Ireland will place a promotional sticker on prescription bags for people eligible for BowelScreen. The stickers are designed to start conversations. If you have questions about taking part in bowel screening, you can ask your local pharmacy team.
Why talk to your local community pharmacy team about BowelScreen
Bowel screening can save lives. Talking to a healthcare professional you know and trust, can help you decide whether to take part in BowelScreen.
- BowelScreen is a free test for people aged 57 to 71. You do it yourself at home at a time that suits you.
- Bowel screening can help to find bowel cancer before you have any symptoms. When bowel cancer is found early, it can be easier to treat and it can be cured.
- Most people get a normal result, and we invite you to do the test again in 2 years up to the age of 71.
- Taking part in BowelScreen can help prevent bowel cancer before it develops, by removing small growths called polyps from the bowel after screening.
- If you need more tests after screening, we’ll support you and give you all the information you need.
We have worked with the Irish Pharmacy Union to educate and support community pharmacy teams to provide you with accurate information about:
- how bowel screening works
- why screening is important
- where to find information and support
- how to register for BowelScreen.
Making it easier for you to take part in BowelScreen
The promotional sticker includes a QR code and freephone number, making it easy for you to:
- check if you are registered for BowelScreen
- register online
- check your contact details and update them
- request your home-test kit when you’re invited
- find out when your next screening is due
- find out more about bowel screening.
It’s never too late to take part in BowelScreen if you’re aged 57 to 71. If you have been invited before and have not done the test, or have questions, talk to your local pharmacy team about it.
- BowelScreen is for people who do not have symptoms of bowel cancer. If you have symptoms of bowel cancer, talk to your GP, even if you recently had a normal bowel screening result.
- Visit hse.ie/bowelscreen to learn more about BowelScreen, check if you are registered and request your free home test kit when you’re invited.
- The promotional sticker campaign in local community pharmacies is part of the implementation of the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025. The next phase will involve community pharmacists and their teams supporting people to get their home-test kit through the BowelScreen online portal.