Bowel screening age lowered to 50 in Wales

Residents in Newtown are set to benefit from an expansion of the bowel cancer screening program, aiming to save more lives by detecting the disease in its early stages.

Starting from October 9, individuals aged 50 and registered with a GP in Wales will automatically receive at-home bowel screening tests. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to combat bowel cancer, one of the most common forms of cancer with over 2,000 new cases diagnosed annually in Wales.

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When detected early, bowel cancer is highly treatable, with significantly improved chances of survival. The screening program aims to identify the disease before symptoms appear, allowing for timely intervention and potentially preventing cancer through the removal of polyps.

The screening process involves a simple and reliable faecal immunochemical test (FIT), known for its increased sensitivity in detecting bowel cancer. Lowering the age range for screening in Wales has already led to improved detection rates and diagnoses at earlier stages.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles said:

“We are committed to improving cancer outcomes in Wales, and the best way to do this is to detect and diagnose more cancers at an earlier stage – screening helps us to do this.

“The earlier bowel cancer is diagnosed, the more treatable it’s likely to be. Evidence shows that there is a 90% cure rate for cancers detected through bowel screening, and almost 9 out of 10 people survive bowel cancer when it’s diagnosed at the earliest stage.

“I am delighted that thousands more people in Wales will be receiving the easy-to-use bowel screening test in the comfort of their homes.

“I urge everyone who is eligible, to complete the test when received, because it really could save your life”

Head of Bowel Screening Wales at Public Health Wales, Steve Court, highlighted the significance of early detection in fighting bowel cancer, encouraging all eligible individuals to participate in the screening program to enhance survival rates.

Gerard McMahon from Bowel Cancer UK commended the lowering of the screening age, stressing the importance of continued commitment and proper funding for the program. Addressing existing disparities in screening participation and improving the FIT sensitivity were also noted as vital steps for further progress.