From 9 October, people aged 50 in Wales will become eligible for bowel screening through the NHS. Those registered with a GP will automatically receive a free bowel screening test kit every two years. People aged 51-74 are already eligible for the programme.
Expanding screening to younger people is expected to help detect bowel cancer at an earlier stage, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment.
Steve Court, Head of Bowel Screening Wales at Public Health Wales, said:
“We are pleased to be expanding the Bowel Screening Wales programme to include people aged 50. Early detection is key in fighting bowel cancer, and screening can identify signs before symptoms even appear. I strongly encourage everyone eligible to take part when they receive their kit. This simple, easy-to-use test can significantly improve survival rates by detecting cancer early, when it is more treatable.”
Naser Turabi, Director of Evidence and Implementation at Cancer Research UK, added:
“Lowering the screening age to 50 will give more people in Wales the opportunity to catch bowel cancer early. Early diagnosis is crucial. More than 9 in 10 people diagnosed at the earliest stage survive five years or more, compared to just 1 in 10 when diagnosed at the most advanced stage.”
Bowel screening is for people without symptoms. If you notice changes in your bowel habits, it is important to speak to your GP, even if you are participating in screening.
Public Health Wales is also running a campaign encouraging everyone aged 50-74 to take up the offer of bowel screening. Campaign materials are available to download and share from the Public Health Wales Asset Library.
