This project aims to improve the early detection and diagnosis of cancer. We will achieve this by increasing uptake of bowel cancer screening. In partnership with South East London Cancer Alliance, we will target patient groups with protected characteristics, lower socioeconomic status or socially excluded.

We will focus on colorectal cancer, where lower proportions of patients are diagnosed at stage one or two and roll out the innovation across London, East of England, Cheshire & Merseyside, and other areas already contracted to use iPLATO' s service.

Currently, the uptake of bowel cancer screening in South East London is 58% against a national target of 75%. Through health inequalities, the uptake is lower in underserved groups. These low uptake rates lead to cancers going undetected in the early stages.

Patients who did not return their FIT Kit will receive a text message directing them to educational content about the importance of bowel screening, instructions on how to take the kit and the option to re-order their FIT Kit. The text wording of the SMS and the educational content will be informed by consultation with patient groups.

iPLATO has been supporting cancer screening programmes for many years and its programmes have increased cervical, breast and bowel cancer screening attendance. For this project, we have set the objective to increase bowel screening uptake by 5% to 10%. At a national scale this would result in savings to the NHS of £13m to £26m.

Please find below a summary of the service with a link to some frequently asked questions. To continue, please click on the  'Register now’ button below.

For queries please contact hub@iplato.com