NHS Essex launches survey on bowel cancer symptom awareness

Residents aged 18 and over in Essex are invited to share their views on recognising symptoms and participating in screening.

Generic image of a magnifying glass over a blurred medical diagram of the digestive system.
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Generic image of a magnifying glass over a blurred medical diagram of the digestive system.

NHS Essex is encouraging residents to participate in an anonymous survey to better understand public awareness and decision-making regarding bowel cancer symptoms and screening.

NHS Essex is inviting residents to take part in a new anonymous survey focused on bowel cancer symptoms and screening. The initiative aims to gain a clearer understanding of whether people recognise potential bowel cancer symptoms, what influences their decisions when a change is noticed, and why some individuals are more inclined to engage with bowel cancer screening than others.
The survey seeks to build the most comprehensive picture to date of public perceptions across Essex regarding bowel cancer symptoms and screening. While understanding public knowledge is important, comprehending people's actions when they notice a change can offer even greater insights.
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"We know that people respond differently when something changes. Some seek advice straight away, while others may wait, look for information themselves or talk things through with others before acting. We want to understand those decisions better. The more we understand about people’s experiences and behaviours, the better placed we will be to identify where information, support and services could make the greatest difference."

Dr Elizabeth Towers · NHS Essex System Clinical Lead for Cancer
Participation does not require any prior knowledge or experience of cancer. NHS Essex is keen to hear from a wide range of people across Essex. The survey is open to anyone aged 18 and over living in Essex and is expected to take approximately five minutes to complete. The deadline for submissions is 11:59pm on Monday 7 December.
Based on information from the official source: NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (30/10/2026)