ColoAlert® is a next-generation stool DNA test that detects bowel cancer earlier and more accurately than the standard FIT test alone. Available in the UK through Northwest Health and Biox Medical Ltd — under the medical directorship of Dr Chun Tang — it is a non-invasive home test that combines occult blood detection with tumour DNA analysis, with every result reviewed by a GMC-registered GP. From £275, including the test kit, laboratory analysis, and GP follow-up.

Why bowel cancer screening matters
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second leading cause of cancer death. It is also one of the most preventable when caught early. When detected at the earliest stage, more than 90% of patients survive beyond five years. When detected at the latest stage, fewer than 10% do.
The challenge is that early-stage bowel cancer usually causes no symptoms. By the time symptoms appear — changes in bowel habit, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, persistent abdominal discomfort — the cancer has often already progressed. Effective screening is what catches it before symptoms ever start.

The limitation of FIT alone
The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme uses the FIT test (Faecal Immunochemical Test), which looks for hidden blood in the stool. FIT is a useful screening tool, but it has two key limitations.
First, FIT relies on bleeding. Cancers and polyps don't always bleed — especially small or early ones. If a tumour isn't bleeding on the day you collect your sample, FIT can miss it. Published sensitivity for cancer detection is around 65 to 70%.
Second, FIT does not detect advanced adenomas (pre-cancerous polyps) very well. These are the polyps that, if found and removed, prevent cancer from ever developing.

How ColoAlert works
ColoAlert is also a home stool test, but it analyses two things instead of one:
Occult blood — the same marker FIT looks for, with high sensitivity.
Tumour DNA — specific genetic mutations shed by colorectal cancer and pre-cancerous cells.
By combining both, ColoAlert detects significantly more cancers than FIT alone, and identifies a higher proportion of advanced adenomas. You collect a small stool sample at home, post it to the laboratory, and your result is reviewed by a GP who explains the findings and any next steps.

How accurate is ColoAlert?
In published clinical studies, ColoAlert detects approximately 85% of colorectal cancers, compared to around 65 to 70% for FIT alone. It also performs better at identifying advanced adenomas, the pre-cancerous polyps that are the key target of screening.
No stool test replaces colonoscopy as the gold standard for diagnosis. But as a non-invasive screening tool — something you can do at home, without preparation or sedation — ColoAlert is one of the most sensitive options currently available.

Who should consider ColoAlert
ColoAlert is suitable for adults aged 40 and over who want proactive screening for bowel cancer. It is particularly worth considering if you have:
A family history of bowel cancer or polyps.
A previous negative FIT but ongoing concern or symptoms.
Reluctance to undergo colonoscopy as a first-line test.
An interest in proactive cancer screening before NHS programmes typically begin.
Age between 50 and 60, before NHS screening starts in your area (NHS screening currently begins at 50 in some regions and 54 in others, with rollout to 50 across England in progress).
ColoAlert is not suitable if you are currently having symptoms that suggest bowel cancer — in that case, you need direct medical assessment, not screening. If you have blood in your stool, persistent changes in bowel habit, or unexplained weight loss, please book a GP consultation instead.

What's included
Every ColoAlert order at Northwest Health includes:
The full ColoAlert home test kit, posted to your address.
Detailed instructions and sample collection materials.
Pre-paid return packaging to the laboratory.
Laboratory analysis by an accredited facility.
Result review by a GMC-registered GP.
Written report explaining your result in plain English.
Telephone consultation to discuss your result and next steps.
Onward referral arrangement if a colonoscopy is recommended.
Follow-up advice on screening intervals for the future.

What happens if the result is positive?
A positive ColoAlert result does not mean you have cancer. It means further investigation is warranted. The recommended next step is a colonoscopy, where a specialist examines the bowel directly and removes any polyps found.
At Northwest Health, we don't simply send you a positive result and leave you to navigate the next stage. Dr Tang reviews every result, explains what it means, arranges the onward referral pathway, and supports you through colonoscopy and any follow-up. Where colonoscopy confirms no cancer (the case for most positive screening tests), we discuss what the result tells us about your future screening needs.

Dr Tang's mission
Dr Chun Tang, the GP behind ColoAlert in the UK, lost his father to bowel cancer. That experience is what drives this work.
As Medical Director of Biox Medical Ltd, the UK distributor of ColoAlert®, Dr Tang has worked to bring more sensitive bowel cancer screening to UK patients who would otherwise face the delays of NHS programmes or the limitations of FIT alone. His work has been featured in The Daily Telegraph, The Mirror, The Irish Medical Times, and on BBC and GB News.
If you've been putting off bowel cancer screening, please don't. It's the single most important thing you can do for your future health if you're over 40.

Pricing
ColoAlert home test kit, GP review, and follow-up consultation — from £275.
Repeat or annual screening — from £225 for returning patients.
Family screening packages (two or more household members) — discounted; call for pricing.
How to order
Online — order your kit through our booking page.
Phone — call 01772 507767, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm.
Email — info@northwest-health.co.uk.
Kits are dispatched within one working day. We deliver across the UK, not only in Lancashire. The sample is collected at home and returned to the laboratory by pre-paid post. You don't need to visit the clinic unless you'd prefer to discuss your result in person.

Where to find us
Northwest Health is at 3–4 Dollywaggon Way, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 6EW. We're two minutes from the M6/M65 junction with free on-site patient parking. Bus stops on Brownedge Road and Station Road are within five minutes' walk.
For ColoAlert specifically, you do not need to visit us — the test is a home test, kit-based, and the result review consultation can be done by telephone or video.
Frequently asked questions

Is ColoAlert available on the NHS?
No. ColoAlert is a private test. The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme currently uses the FIT test. ColoAlert is available privately through Northwest Health and Biox Medical for patients who want a more sensitive screening option.

How often should I do the test?
For average-risk individuals over 40, every two years is appropriate. For those with a family history or other risk factors, annual screening may be advised. Dr Tang will discuss the right interval for you based on your result and personal risk profile.

Is the test uncomfortable or difficult to use?
No. It's a small home sample collection that takes a few minutes. Full instructions and all materials are included.

How long do results take?
Typically 7 to 14 working days from receipt of the sample at the laboratory. Your GP review consultation is arranged immediately once the result is back.

What if I'm under 40?
ColoAlert is generally aimed at adults aged 40 and over because bowel cancer is significantly more common in this age group. If you are under 40 and have specific concerns — symptoms, family history, or a known genetic risk — please book a GP consultation first so we can advise on the right pathway for you.

Can I order one for a family member?
Yes. We frequently arrange tests for family members, particularly when there is a known family history of bowel cancer. Each test includes its own GP review.

What happens if my result is normal?
A normal result is reassuring. We'll explain what it means in your specific context and discuss when to consider repeat screening. Most people in this position screen again in two years.

How does ColoAlert compare to colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis — it allows direct visualisation of the bowel and removal of any polyps found. ColoAlert is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. The two are complementary: ColoAlert identifies who needs colonoscopy, and colonoscopy provides the definitive answer.
Order your ColoAlert bowel cancer screening test
Take the first step towards early detection. Call 01772 507767 or order online.

Related services at Northwest Health

ColoAlert is most effective as part of a wider preventive health approach. A private GP consultation with Dr Tang ensures your results are understood in the context of your full medical history. Many patients also choose private blood tests for broader health screening and cardiac screening to assess cardiovascular risk at the same time. Order ColoAlert today or get in touch with any questions.