Bowel cancer detection rates double since lowering screening age

Bowel cancer detection rates double since lowering screening age 

Screening helps diagnose people at an earlier, and more treatable, stage. Reducing the screening age in Wales from 60 to 50 over the past four years has helped more than double the number of bowel cancers detected in Wales.  

Since the introduction of the age expansion in 2021, bowel cancer diagnoses have increased in the screening programme from 211 in 2020-21 to 457 in 2023-24.  Annual invitations for screening have increased from 223,000 to more than 500,000.    

Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, with more than 2,000 people diagnosed every year in Wales. But when caught in its early stages, the cancer is treatable, curable and survival chances increase significantly.  

Bowel screening is now offered to everyone registered with a GP in Wales aged 50 to 74 years. Eligible individuals receive a test kit automatically in the post at 50-years-old (since October last year), and then every two years afterwards.  

Screening can help spot bowel cancer before symptoms start and detect polyps – noncancerous growths – which can be removed and prevent cancer from developing in the first place. 

The screening process involves an easy-to-use faecal immunochemical test (FIT), which has increased sensitivity and can better detect bowel cancer, helping to increase the screening uptake in men and women aged 50 to 74. 

Member of the Senedd for Newport West, Jayne Bryant said “These findings are really positive and demonstrate the importance of increasing participation in health screening programmes. 

I encourage people across Newport West to take part when they receive their test kit through the post. It’s free, easy-to-use and it could save your life.” 

Steve Court, Head of Programme for Bowel Screening Wales, said “The lowering of the screening age has been a major step forward in the fight against bowel cancer in Wales.  

More people than ever before are taking advantage of the home test kit, and more cancers are being detected as a result.”