Our second most lethal cancer still has a 10-year screening age gap compared to the rest of the UK.
Bowel cancer tests continue to lag behind England, Scotland and Wales, where they begin from the age of 50, compared to 60 here.
Almost 1,200 people are diagnosed with the disease every year.
There is a 91% cure rate if detected at its earliest stage.
Bowel Cancer UK warned the “concerning” age gap could be costing lives.
It is calling for Northern Ireland to follow Britain’s biannual screening as “everyone deserves equal access to this lifesaving programme”.
Read more
The charity’s Jennifer Bamforth said: “Bowel cancer is Northern Ireland’s second biggest cancer killer, so it’s concerning that it’s the only UK nation where bowel cancer screening still starts at age 60.
“In Scotland and Wales, screening for bowel cancer starts at age 50, and England aims to complete the rollout of screening from 50 this year.
“It’s time for Northern Ireland to follow suit.”
We currently offer a home testing kit for people between 60 and 74.
Ms Bamforth added: “The national cancer strategy in Northern Ireland includes commitments to extend the age range of screening.
“But to make this a reality the Department of Heath must work to ensure that the health and social care system has the endoscopy capacity to support these vital improvements.”
The charity previously referred to a lack of leadership in Stormont as contributing to delays in the development of an earlier diagnosis of the disease.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt recently published a three-year strategic plan committing to expanding the bowel cancer screening programme by April 2027.
Stormont Health Minister Mike Nesbitt (File/PA)
The Department of Health said: “Work to meet the commitments to lower the age range and further reduce the sensitivity level is ongoing but must be viewed within the context of the wider financial and capacity challenges within the supporting services.
“This is because screening programmes are a pathway and not just a ‘test’. As such, where a screening programme makes changes to its eligibility, it is important that the associated infrastructure, to include diagnostic capacity and any treatments that may be required, are aligned.”
Current treatment times have also attracted criticism, with just over a quarter (26.8%) of patients being seen within a 62-day period between July 1 and September 30 in 2024.
The Department of Health added: “The minister remains fully committed to delivering the most effective service possible within the available budget to reduce waiting times and deliver a cancer care system that meets the needs of patients and their families.”