Yes, you can. You may have a cancer that was missed at your last bowel cancer screening examination or a new cancer that has developed rapidly since then.

The risk of cancer after a normal colonoscopy is low. Research studies report that approximately 1 out of 1000 people who participate in screening by colonoscopy develop bowel cancer within 4 years of a normal examination. For flexible sigmoidoscopy screening, the risk is higher because flexible sigmoidoscopy examines only the lower half of the bowel. The risk is substantially higher for the faecal occult blood test (FOBT) or faecal immunochemical test (FIT) because these tests only detect cancers or polyps that are bleeding. Regular screening with FOBT or FIT is recommended so that many cancers missed during earlier screenings may be detected at later screenings. If you notice symptoms suggestive of bowel cancer, such as anaemia, weight loss, blood in your stool, or change in your bowel habits, you should consult your doctor and not wait until your next screening invitation.