The Welsh Government has announced that people in Wales aged 51-54 will now automatically receive at-home bowel screening tests.
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Wales. Between 2018-2020 there were nearly 7000 registered cases of bowel cancer.
In 2019, FIT tests were introduced. The kits have contributed to an improved screening uptake of 65 per cent in the current age cohort of men and women aged 55 to 74.
Minister for health and social services Eluned Morgan said: "I am very pleased to see more people in Wales having access to these precautionary, and sometimes lifesaving, bowel screenings.
"Last year, we widened access to bowel cancer screening to those aged 55-57. This next phase will now extend screening to people aged between 51-54 and we plan to lower the age to 50 in 2024.
"Over the next two years we are also increasing the sensitivity of the test to make it even more effective at detecting cancer.
"Although it is reassuring to see good uptake rates of the screening test so far, around a third of people still don’t take up the offer. So, I would encourage everyone who is sent a kit to take the test as it could be life-saving."
Steve Court, head of bowel screening Wales at Public Health Wales, said: "I’m delighted that we’re expanding the bowel cancer screening programme to include those aged 51 to 54 in Wales.
"Bowel screening can help find bowel cancer at an early stage, when you don’t have any symptoms. Early detection is so important because at least 9 out of 10 people will survive bowel cancer if it’s found and treated early. Bowel screening also detects and removes pre-cancerous polyps that if left in the bowel could develop into cancer.
"The invitation and test kit will be arriving via post to those who are eligible over the next 12 months. The home test kit is easy to complete and to send to our laboratory for analysis.
"I would urge everyone who receives an invitation to take up their offer. It could save their life."
