The NHS has moved to the final stage of its rollout of bowel cancer screening by opening up testing kits to those over the age of 50 years.
It means around 850,000 additional people in England a year will be eligible for the home FITs test with kits are sent out every two years by post.
More than 4 million more people have now been invited since roll out began with older age groups in 2021, NHS England said.
But officials want to see more people take up the offer as figures show lower uptake in those aged 54 to 59 years than 60-to-74-year-olds.
Currently less than 60% of the younger age group have taken up the offer, compared with over 70% returning their FIT kits in the 60-74 range, NHS England said.
It comes amidst growing concerns that the disease is becoming more common in younger age groups
One study published in December found rates of bowel cancer in the under-50s have been increasing around the world but with England seeing one of the steepest rises.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical 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 50s – 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.
‘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.’
Steve Russell, national director for vaccinations and screening, said the expansion of the programme to those aged 50 would potentially save thousands of lives.
‘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.’
In the USA, colorectal screening from age 50 was recommended back in 1996. In 2021 the minimum age was reduced to 45 years. Uptake is around 70%. And it’s annually.
As usual, the NHS lags behind. Decades behind.