The NHS is set to expand its bowel cancer screening programme in England, aiming to send testing kits to individuals aged 50 and 52 by the end of March 2025.

This expansion will increase the number of people eligible for screening by approximately 850,000, covering ages 50 to 74.

Individuals aged 51 and 53 will receive their kits on their next birthday, while those aged 54 to 74 are already included in the programme.

Moreover, individuals over 75 can still request a screening kit by contacting the NHS helpline.

The screening employs a faecal immunochemical test (FIT), which checks for blood in stool samples collected at home.

Results from the FIT test are sent back to participants, along with information on any necessary follow-up tests.

Despite the programme's benefits, current participation rates are concerning, with less than 60% of those aged 54 to 57 participating compared to over 70% of individuals aged 60 to 74.

Steve Russell, NHS England's national director for vaccinations and screening, emphasizes that early detection is crucial for saving lives from bowel cancer.

Dr. Lisa Wilde from Bowel Cancer UK highlights that early-stage diagnosis significantly increases survival rates.

Andrew Gwynne, the public health and prevention minister, supports the rollout as a critical measure for early detection and improved patient outcomes.

Key symptoms of bowel cancer include persistent stomach pain, blood in stool, prolonged changes in bowel habits, and feelings of incomplete bowel evacuation.

Professor Peter Johnson has noted a rising incidence of bowel cancer among younger individuals, urging those with symptoms to consult their GP promptly.