Third of eligible people in England skip crucial bowel cancer screening test

• Almost a third of eligible people in England, specifically 29%, do not complete their bowel cancer screening tests, according to Bowel Cancer UK.
• The national average uptake for the faecal immunochemical test (Fit) in England is 71%, which is sent to individuals aged 50 to 74.
• Regional disparities exist, with NHS Devon ICB showing the highest uptake at 76% and NHS North West London ICB the lowest at 56%.
• Bowel Cancer UK highlighted that while progress has been made, there is still significant room to improve screening participation.
• Early detection through screening is crucial as it significantly increases the chances of survival, with over nine in 10 people surviving when diagnosed at the earliest stage.

IN FULL

Third of eligible NHS patients ‘do not complete bowel cancer screening’