New figures from the Welsh Government show that lowering the bowel cancer screening age from 60 to 50 has led to more than double the number of cancers being detected.
Since the age extension began in 2021, annual diagnoses through the screening programme have increased from 211 in 2020–21 to 457 in 2023–24.
Screening invitations have also grown from around 223,000 to over half a million each year, resulting in much higher early detection rates.
Bowel cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers in Wales, with over 2,000 new cases annually.
Currently, everyone aged 50 to 74 who is registered with a GP in Wales receives a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit by post every two years. The simple and sensitive test can identify bowel cancer and detect polyps before symptoms develop, allowing for early intervention and prevention.
Lowering the screening age reflects the Welsh Government’s wider focus on preventive healthcare, aiming to catch more cases at an earlier, more treatable stage and ultimately reduce the impact of bowel cancer across the population.
