Age for bowel cancer tests is lowered to 50
THE age at which bowel cancer screening starts in England is to be lowered from 60 to 50.
New improved home test kits will be sent to people aged 50 to 74, after a recommendation by the UK National Screening Committee following a review of available evidence.
Ministers accepted the proposals of the independent experts yesterday.
BBC newsreader George Alagiah and former health secretary Andrew Lansley are among those who have called for earlier screening.
Alagiah, who is being treated for bowel cancer for a second time, has said it could have been caught sooner if over-50s were screened in England, as they are in Scotland.
Lord Lansley, announcing he was also being treated for the disease in April, urged the Government to cut the age of screening to 50 in future “in line with international best practice”.
The new faecal immunochemical home test kit (FIT), due to be introduced in the autumn, will initially be offered to those aged 60 to 74.
It is easier to use than the current test and more accurate in detecting potential cancer. It needs only one sample in contrast to the current kit that needs six samples from three bowel motions.
It is expected to be gradually available to over-55s, followed by over-50s, but no timetable has yet been given.
Professor Anne Mackie, director of screening at Public Health England, said: “The risk rises steeply from around age 50-54 and rates are significantly higher among males than females. Starting screening 10 years earlier at 50 will help spot more abnormalities at an early stage.
“The committee recognises that this change will take time but wants the FIT test to be offered to all aged 60 and over as soon as possible, and options considered for a roll-out plan where screening can be offered at 55 and eventually to all aged 50 – ensuring we have the best bowel screening programme possible.”
Public health minister Steve Brine said: “We are determined to make our cancer survival rates the best in the world.”