Health Minister Gives No Timeline for Lowering Bowel Cancer Screening Age
Published
The Irish Health Minister has not committed to a timeline for lowering the age at which people can take part in bowel cancer screening. The question has been raised as part of wider discussions about how the country can find cancer earlier and improve survival rates.
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Ireland. At present, the national screening programme, BowelScreen, invites people aged between 60 and 74 to take a free home test every two years. The test checks for small amounts of blood in a stool sample, which can be an early sign of the disease. Doctors say that finding bowel cancer early often leads to better treatment results, so screening is an important tool for public health.
Some campaigners and medical experts have called for the screening age to be reduced. They point out that the number of bowel cancer cases in younger adults has been increasing in several countries, including Ireland. Supporters of a lower age say that earlier screening could help detect the disease sooner in people who do not yet have symptoms.
When asked about a possible timeline, the minister did not give a firm date for any change. Any decision to extend or lower the screening age would need careful review, including advice on costs, staffing, and how well the service could handle more people. For now, members of the public who are eligible are encouraged to respond when they receive an invitation, and anyone with symptoms such as blood in the stool, a change in bowel habits, or ongoing stomach pain should speak to their GP.
Sources: The Journal
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