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Nearly a third of people skip bowel cancer screening in England – risking thousands of missed cases and preventable deaths, a leading cancer charity has warned.
Since 2019, adults aged 50 to 74 have been sent a home testing kit as part of an NHS drive to diagnose bowel cancer earlier, when it is far more treatable.
The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) checks for tiny traces of blood in a stool sample – an early warning sign of the disease. Once returned by post, results are usually available within two weeks.
If no blood is detected, no further action is needed and patients are invited to repeat the test every two years. But if blood is found, they are typically referred for a colonoscopy to investigate further.
Bowel Cancer UK analysed the latest data from NHS integrated care boards (ICBs) and found average uptake across England is just 71 per cent – meaning 29 per cent of those eligible do not complete the test.
The charity warned this gap risks cancers being picked up at a later, less treatable stage.
NHS Devon ICB recorded the highest participation rate at 76 per cent, above the national average.
In contrast, NHS North West London ICB had the lowest uptake at just 56 per cent, prompting calls for urgent action to boost engagement. All ICBs across Greater London fell below the national average.
Nearly a third of people eligible for bowel cancer screening in England are not completing their tests, a leading cancer charity has warned
Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said: ‘While there’s been great work to date when it comes to people taking part in bowel cancer screening, these figures show that there’s still room to improve screening uptake even further.
‘Bowel cancer is the UK’s fourth most common cancer, but screening is one of the best ways to spot the disease early or remove polyps that might develop into cancer.
‘The earlier bowel cancer is found, the more treatable it’s likely to be, with more than nine in 10 people surviving the disease when diagnosed at the earliest stage.’
Screening for bowel cancer was first introduced in England in 2006, with the current FIT test replacing the older guaiac-based faecal occult blood test (gFOBt) because it is more accurate at detecting tiny traces of blood.
Around 17,700 people die from bowel cancer in the UK each year, making it the second biggest cancer killer.
The NHS says symptoms can include changes in bowel habits – such as persistent diarrhoea, looser stools or constipation – as well as blood in the stool or bleeding from the bottom.
Other warning signs include stomach pain, a lump in the abdomen, bloating or unexplained weight loss. Feeling unusually tired or short of breath can also be a sign of anaemia, which may be caused by the disease.
Risk increases with age, particularly over 50, and is also higher in people who smoke or are overweight.
Experts say the risk can be reduced by eating a healthy diet rich in fibre – including fruit, vegetables and wholegrains – staying physically active, cutting back on alcohol, stopping smoking and limiting red and processed meat.
These steps help protect the bowel by reducing inflammation, improving gut function and limiting exposure to compounds linked to cancer development.
