Bowel cancer screening uptake falls to 56 percent among 54-year-olds

Health officials reported lower participation in at-home bowel cancer tests among people in their 50s compared with older age groups. Figures showed 56.2 percent of 54-year-olds completed the test last year, while 73.5 percent of 70- to 74-year-olds did so.

The NHS sends free faecal immunochemical tests to homes of people aged 50 to 74 every two years. The test requires a small stool sample returned in a prepaid envelope.

Participation and outcomes Nearly 5.2 million people completed tests between April 2024 and March 2025, producing an average of 100 cancer diagnoses per week. Uptake across all eligible ages fell to 65.2 percent from 67.6 percent the previous year. A national clinical director for cancer said people in their 50s have busy lives and urged them to return kits promptly when received.

The director noted bowel cancer can develop without symptoms and early detection saves lives.

Individual cases and statements One woman from Wigan received her kit at age 54, completed it after two weeks, and was diagnosed with early-stage bowel cancer. She underwent surgery in July 2024 and said she had no symptoms before the test. The chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK said each completed kit offers a chance to detect or prevent the disease.

Cancer Research UK’s chief executive said the test takes minutes and catching cancer earlier improves survival chances.