From 2 October 2023, the age range of people eligible for BowelScreen, the national bowel screening programme, has been lowered to include women and men aged 59 years. The eligible age range for bowel screening is now 59 to 69 (previously 60 to 69). This makes the free home screening test available to more people nationally.
Why is the age range extending?
Research shows that screening people at a younger age enables more bowel cancers to be detected at an earlier stage, when treatment is likely to be more effective. Having reviewed the evidence, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) recommended that bowel cancer screening in Ireland should be available to those aged 55 to 74. This is part of our commitment in Ireland’s National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 and in the Programme for Government.
This is the first stage of steadily extending the age range to people aged 55 to 74. We will widen the age range gradually, in carefully managed stages, to ensure everyone who needs it has access to onward testing and treatment, while also maintaining the high-quality screening service we offer existing eligible participants.
When will invitations be issued to those newly eligible?
BowelScreen issues invitations for screening every two years. Those eligible for bowel screening will be offered their first home screening test between the ages of 59 and 61.
You must be on the bowel screening register before being offered the test. Those aged 59 to 69 can check the register online, by email to info@bowelscreen.ie or by Freephone 1800 45 45 55.
BowelScreen Programme Manager Hilary Coffey Farrell said: “We’re pleased that we are now able to offer bowel screening to more people. If you’re aged 59 to 69 we encourage you to choose screening and take up the invitation for your home testing kit when it’s offered. Check the register to make sure we have your correct details and complete the screening test when you get it.”
About BowelScreen
BowelScreen aims to prevent cancer developing or to find it at an early stage, when it can be easier to treat and there is a better chance of recovery.
Bowel screening is for people with no symptoms. It’s a free, simple-to-use, home testing kit called a FIT (faecal immunochemical test) kit that is sent by post to a person’s home. Instructions are included and once the test is complete, the kit is posted back in a freepost envelope to one of our laboratories for testing.
Clinical Director of BowelScreen Professor Pádraic Mac Mathuna says: “The primary goal of BowelScreen is to reduce the number of deaths from bowel cancer through prevention or early detection of cancer when there are no symptoms. The more eligible people who take part in BowelScreen the more effective the programme is at preventing bowel cancer.”
We will be promoting the new age range on radio, in national press and on social media platforms. We ask all stakeholders to update their own information sources with the new age range.
- Read more about the bowel screening age range extension and why it’s important.
- Bowel screening is for people with no symptoms. Anyone concerned about symptoms of bowel cancer should contact their GP.
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