At it’s heart, it’s just a simple plastic tube- but it has the potential to save lives. All over 50s will now receive a home-testing kit that can help to detect signs of bowel cancer.
The final stage of the expansion of the NHS programme comes after a Lancet study revealed a worrying increase in bowl cancer among younger adults. The faecal immunochemical test (FIT), which checks for blood in a small stool sample, will see almost a million more people become eligible as it will be sent out to everyone aged 50 and 52. It involves putting a poo sample in a small tube and returning it by post to the NHS for testing. Two out of 100 people who use the kit will require further testing.
NHS England is warning of worrying low take-up of the test in younger groups as latest figures show fewer than 60% return the test among those aged 54 to 59. The return rate is over 70% for older age groups.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England director for cancer, said: “Thousands of people in England develop bowel cancer each year, and there are concerns that it is becoming more common for people in their 50’s – but what we do know is that the chances of surviving it are very good when it is caught early, which is why the NHS is sending out millions of free bowel cancer screening kits for people to use in the comfort of their own homes, and we urge everyone invited to take part.
“There is no need to feel embarrassed about poo – the test is quick and simple to use and can detect signs of bowel cancer, often before symptoms appear, so please do return your FIT kit if you are sent one. If anyone experiences symptoms such as blood in their poo or severe stomach pain, no matter their age, they should speak to their GP and get it checked out as soon as possible.”
Sending out the tests to an extra 850,000 people aged 50 and 52 completes the expansion of the screening test to everyone in England aged 50 to 74. It brings the country in line with availability of the test in Wales and Scotland. People aged 51 and 53 will need to wait until their next birthday but will then be posted a kit.
Stephen Gates, a 56-year-old business development director from north Buckinghamshire who was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer after returning his FIT kit this summer. Stephen said: “I’ve always had an active, busy lifestyle, working full time and exercising lots, and I’ve always taken good care of my nutrition – in fact I’m as fit now as I was in my mid-30s. So you can imagine my shock when I completed my first home testing kit, and received a phone call inviting me for a colonoscopy. Unfortunately, it revealed that I had a malignant tumour in my bowel. I couldn’t believe it – I had no symptoms.
“At first I was devastated and terrified. The month or so between diagnosis and finding out the results of the scans were really tough. I told no one other than my wife, my boss and two friends. I wanted to shield my two daughters and wider family and friends from the news until I had more information about the treatment.
“The scans revealed that I had stage 2 cancer, but luckily it hadn’t spread. I elected to have bowel resection surgery later that summer, but stayed positive given it had been caught early. I spent the time preparing for surgery by exercising more, so that I was in the best possible physical and mental shape. I spent less than 72 hours in hospital following a 10-hour operation. The surgery was a great success and I’m now exercising at my previous levels, and I’ve started boxing.
“I feel incredibly fortunate that my cancer was picked up early through my screening test, which was so simple to complete and send back. I understand that some people might be nervous about taking the test, but the chances are you’ll have nothing to worry about and can sleep well knowing this. Please take up the offer and complete your bowel screening kit. It could save your life.”
Dr Lisa Wilde, director at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “Stephen’s story demonstrates just how important it is to complete the screening test to help spot the disease before symptoms even develop and we urge everyone to follow his example and do so as soon as they receive it.”
It comes a month after a Lancet study found rates of bowel cancer in young people are rising around the world. Analysis of early onset bowel cancer in those aged 25 to 49 showed England is among the countries with the biggest rise, averaging a 3.6% increase every year.
The cancer, which causes common symptoms and so is hard to diagnose, now kills almost 17,000 Brits each year.
Bowel cancer is now the third most common cancer in the UK and is the same type that killed TV presenter Dame Deborah James at age 40 in 2022. Dame Deborah – who was given the moniker ‘Bowel Babe’ – made it her driving mission in her final months to raise awareness of the disease and encourage people to take the FIT test.
Steve Russell, NHS England screening director, said: “We are seeing positive uptake of the home testing FIT kits, with over two thirds of those eligible returning their tests, but this drops off in the lower age groups and we want to see even more people taking up the offer. While taking a test for bowel cancer may be the last thing you’re thinking about as you enter the new year, it could save your life, so if you’ve got a FIT kit hiding in a drawer at home, I would encourage you to return it quickly as you can – most people won’t have signs of cancer, but if the test does detect anything, we can ensure they are sent on for further tests and treatment.”
He added: “Lives are saved when cancers are caught early and the expansion of the NHS bowel cancer screening programme to those aged 50 will help to spot signs of bowel cancer sooner, and potentially save thousands of lives.”
Studies are ongoing to work out why more younger people are developing bowel cancer, but experts believe poor diet, more ultra-processed foods, obesity and a lack of exercise are playing a role. Those newly eligible will receive an invitation letter and will be sent their FIT test with instructions and prepaid return packaging. This will happen automatically for people in this new age group as this rolls out across the country. Results are sent back to participants, along with information about further tests, if needed.
There are more than 44,000 new bowel cancer diagnoses in the UK each year. Symptoms can include the following:
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Diarrhea or constipation
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Needing to use the toilet more or less often than usual
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Blood in your stool, which may look red or black
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Abdominal pain
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A lump in your abdomen
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Bloating
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Unexplained weight loss
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Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
Bowel cancer symptoms can also be caused by other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, but it’s important to get checked so the disease can be spotted as early as possible. People can call the free bowel cancer screening helpline for advice on 0800 707 60 60. Information on bowel cancer and the screening programme can be found on the nhs.uk website.
Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne, said: “Bowel cancer screening saves lives from one of the most common cancers, so it’s fantastic to see the expansion of the screening programme. The evidence is overwhelming – this rollout will catch more cases at an earlier stage, preventing deaths and giving our fantastic NHS staff the precious time needed to treat people earlier and improve their life chances.
“As part of our Plan for Change, we will make the NHS fit for the future and fight cancer on all fronts – through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and research.”
