Colorectal cancer screening in the UK: A public health intervention of unrealised potential

The United Kingdom was one of the first countries in the world to have a fully rolled out colorectal cancer screening programme and, although the four constituent countries have taken somewhat different approaches, they all commenced with guaiac faecal occult blood testing and have all now transitioned to faecal immunochemical testing. In this Commentary, we trace the development of the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme, with reference to the other UK programmes, reflect on its successes and shortcomings, and make suggestions for the future.