NHS bowel cancer tests will be fine-tuned to spot more tumours early as part of a faster diagnosis drive.
It is another win for our No Time 2 Lose campaign launched with Dame Deborah James to call for better testing before her death aged 40 in 2022.
We also pressed to lower the age of testing from 60 to 50 and that was completed last year.
Health service labs will now increase the sensitivity of the FIT postal test to boost the number who are sent for further testing by a third.
Medics hope it will catch an extra 600 bowel cancers per year and cut deaths by six per cent by treating patients sooner.
NHS cancer chief Professor Peter Johnson said: “This is a major step forward and will help save hundreds more lives from this devastating disease.
Read more about bowel cancer
“Cases have continued to rise in recent years and greater awareness, thanks to the incredible efforts of Dame Deborah James, has been vital in ensuring people know when to come forward to get checked.
We hope to see more steps to help give people affected by cancer more time with the people they love
Alistair James,
“My message to Sun readers is simple: if a bowel screening test arrives through your door, please don’t put it off.
“You don’t need to feel unwell. Taking a few minutes to complete the test could make all the difference.”
Alistair James, father of Dame Debs, said: “We can make huge progress by diagnosing bowel cancer earlier.
“Around nine in 10 people survive their cancer for five years or more if diagnosed at the earliest stage but this falls to just one in 10 when diagnosed at the latest stage.
“Deborah was a passionate campaigner for earlier diagnosis and this decision to increase the sensitivity of bowel cancer screening in England is an important step forward.
“We hope to see more positive steps to help give more people affected by cancer more time with the people they love.”
Bowel cancer is the third most common type in the UK, behind lung and prostate for men or breast for women.
There are around 45,000 new cases per year in the UK and 17,500 deaths, with rates rising in young adults.
The screening programme for people with no symptoms involves scraping a small poo sample at home to send off for laboratory tests to look for blood.
The quick and easy faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is offered every two years to people aged 50 to 74.
NHS labs will lower the threshold for a colonoscopy referral from 120 micrograms of blood per gram of poo to 80.
NHS England said the way patients do the test will not change but this will increase the positive result rate from two per cent to three per cent.
A positive blood test is followed up by a colonoscopy to look for signs of cancer but most people get the all-clear.
The change will also boost detection of pre-cancerous growths called polyps by about 2,000 per year so patients can have them removed to reduce their risk.
‘Vital step’ will save lives
Prof Johnson added: “Testing at a lower threshold will provide a better early-warning system for bowel cancer, helping us to spot and treat cancers earlier.
“Earlier detection can mean less intensive treatment and ensures the best chance of survival.”
The change will form part of the Government’s national cancer plan next month and be fully rolled out by 2028.
Patients will also get text reminders to complete and return the tests.
Michelle Mitchell, chief of Cancer Research UK, said: “This vital step will save lives.”
The signs of bowel cancer you need to know – remember BOWEL
- B:Bleeding
There are several possible causes of bleeding from your bottom, of blood in your poo.
Bright red blood could come from swollen blood vessels, haemorrhoids or piles, in your back passage.
Dark red or black blood could come from your bowel or stomach.
Blood in your stools is one of the key signs of bowel cancer, so it’s important to mention it to your doctor so they can investigate.
2. O: Obvious change in loo habits
It’s important to tell your GP if you have noticed any changes in your bowel habits, that lasts three weeks or longer.
It’s especially important if you have also noticed signs of blood in your poo.
You might notice you need to go to the loo more often, you might have looser stools or feel like you’re not going enough or fully emptying your bowels.
Don’t be embarrassed, your GP will have heard a lot worse! Speak up and get it checked.
3. W: Weight loss
This is less common than the other symptoms, but an important one to be aware of. If you’ve lost weight and don’t really know why, it’s worth mentioning to your GP.
You may not feel like eating, feel sick, bloated and not hungry.
4. E: Extreme tiredness
Bowel cancer that causes bleeding can cause a lack of iron in the body – anaemia. If you develop anaemia you’re likely to feel tired and your skin might look pale.
5. L: Lump or pain
As with lots of other forms of cancer, a lump or pain can be a sign of bowel cancer.
It’s most likely you’ll notice a pain or lump in your stomach or back passage.
See your GP if it doesn’t go away, or if it affects how you eat or sleep
