Key facts
- Only 56.2% of 54-year-olds completed bowel cancer screening kits in the year April 2024 to March 2025.
- Uptake among 70 to 74-year-olds was 73.5% during the same period.
- An average of 100 bowel cancers were diagnosed weekly through the NHS program.
- The NHS sends free home-testing kits to all individuals aged 50 to 74 every two years.
- Overall screening uptake decreased slightly to 65.2% from 67.6% the previous year.
NHS England is issuing an urgent appeal for people in their 50s to complete and return their bowel cancer screening kits, as new figures reveal a significant shortfall in participation among this age group. Data for the year April 2024 to March 2025 shows that just over half (56.2%) of 54-year-olds took part in screening, a stark contrast to the 73.5% of individuals aged 70 to 74 who participated.
The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, which dispatches free faecal immunochemical test (FIT) kits to everyone aged 50 to 74 every two years, is instrumental in early detection. On average, approximately 100 cancers were diagnosed weekly through the program during the reporting period. Despite an increase in overall participation to nearly 5.2 million people, the uptake among younger age groups remains a concern.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, expressed worry over the low numbers of people in their 50s returning their kits, emphasizing that bowel cancer can develop without symptoms and early detection saves lives. Joanne Vernon, who was diagnosed with early-stage bowel cancer at age 54 after receiving her kit, shared her experience, urging others not to delay in completing the simple home test.
Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive at Bowel Cancer UK, highlighted that for many in their 50s, this may be their first screening invitation, and completing the kit offers a crucial opportunity for early detection or prevention. Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, noted that the test takes only a few minutes and can be life-saving.