Equality considerations

Advice

NICE is committed to promoting equality, eliminating unlawful discrimination and fostering good relations between people with particular protected characteristics and others. In producing guidance and advice, NICE aims to comply fully with all legal obligations to: promote race and disability equality and equality of opportunity between men and women, eliminate unlawful discrimination on grounds of race, disability, age, sex, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity (including women post-delivery), sexual orientation, and religion or belief (these are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010).

Most people with colorectal cancer are over 60 years. Some bowel conditions, such as severe ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer. People with these conditions may be considered to be disabled under the Equality Act if the condition has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day‑to‑day activities. Age and disability are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. People with cancer are protected under the Act from the point of diagnosis.