People with an abnormal screening result will be:

• Sent a letter explaining the result, with an appointment at a nurse-run clinic within 1 week. A copy of this letter will be sent to the GP.
• Offered colonoscopy; occasionally, other imaging techniques may be offered if colonoscopy is inappropriate.
• People with a suspicious lesion should either have the lesion removed entirely or have sufficient biopsy samples taken to clearly determine the nature of the lesion.
• If biopsy confirms colorectal cancer, the person will be seen at a nurse-run clinic to discuss the result face to face and referred urgently to a named specialist.
• If biopsy confirms a benign lesion, the person will informed of the result by letter within 3 weeks.
• People with benign polyps will usually have these removed. Polyps are classified into low, medium, or high risk depending on the number and size of polyps found.
• People with low-risk polyps are offered further FOBt screening every 2 years, up until the age of 70 years.
• People with medium-risk polyps are offered colonoscopy every 3 years until two examinations are negative.
• People with high-risk polyps are offered repeat colonoscopy after 1 year and then colonoscopy every 3 years until two examinations are negative.
• People with no abnormality detected by complete colonoscopy will be offered further FOBt screening every 2 years, until they are 70 years of age.
• People with an incomplete colonoscopy due to technical difficulties may be offered repeat colonoscopy or another imaging technique.

[NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, 2006]