People in their 50s urged to complete bowel cancer screening amid ‘low’ uptake
Health officials have raised concerns over the “low numbers” of people in their 50s taking part in bowel cancer screening.
It comes as figures suggest a little over half of 54-year-olds completed at-home testing kits last year compared to almost three-quarters of people in their 70s.
The NHS sends the free faecal immunochemical test (FIT) to the homes of people aged 50 to 74 every two years.
It requires a small stool sample, which can then be sent back in a pre-paid envelope.
The programme helped diagnose 100 cases of cancer a week on average in the 12 months from April 2024 to March 2025 according to the latest figures.
Almost 5.2 million people took part, NHS England said.
But data indicates 56.2% of 54-year-olds completed the test compared with 73.5% of 70 to 74-year-olds.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: “People have extremely busy lives but we are concerned about the low numbers of people in their 50s returning their bowel screening kits.
“So if you remember Scott and Charlene’s iconic Neighbours wedding, it’s probably your time to do a test.
“Bowel cancer can develop without any symptoms, but catching it early saves lives.
“So when your kit from the NHS lands on the doormat, don’t put it on a shelf and forget about it. Do the test and send it back – it could save your life.”
The NHS sends around 8.7 million FIT tests to homes every year.
During the year, uptake was down to 65.2% from 67.6% in the previous 12 months, with those in younger age groups less likely to take up the offer.
Some 72.9% of 60 to 74-year-olds were up to date with screening.
Published: by Radio NewsHub