Bowel cancer screening tests can reduce the risk of death from the disease by 43%, according to a study. The at-home test, which detects hidden traces of blood in stool, is currently offered every two years to approximately 17 million Britons aged 50 to 74. Recent findings suggest the test is even more effective than previously understood, with a 2024 trial indicating a 25% reduced risk of mortality.
In England, the screening program has an uptake rate of about 70% of eligible individuals. The program, which involves sending testing kits by mail, began in 2006 and was expanded in 2021 to include individuals in their 50s. This expansion was driven by a concerning increase in the disease among younger adults, with cases in those under 50 being 50% higher than 30 years ago.
The latest research, conducted by scientists from the Karolinska Institute, analyzed data from 376,511 people in Sweden. Of these, 203,692 were invited for bowel cancer screening, while 172,819 were invited later or not at all. The average age of participants was around 63.
Initially, the Swedish screening program utilized the guaiac-based faecal occult blood test (gFOBT), a method previously used in the UK before being replaced by the more accurate FIT technology around 2017. Sweden also transitioned to FIT, a change reflected in the research.
At the conclusion of the study, researchers observed that participants who underwent screening had a 43% lower risk of death compared to those who did not. The study highlights that screening can detect bowel cancer at earlier stages, when treatment is more likely to be successful. Survival rates for bowel cancer detected at the earliest stage exceed 90% for five years, but this figure drops to just 6% if the disease has spread to other organs.
The screening test can also identify polyps, growths in the bowel that have the potential to become cancerous, enabling doctors to remove or monitor them. Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, emphasized the importance of screening, stating, "Screening is one of the best ways to spot the disease early, so please do take the test when you're eligible for it. It only takes a few minutes to do at home, but those few minutes could make a life-changing difference."
Bowel cancer is a significant health concern in Britain, with over 48,200 cases diagnosed annually and approximately 17,700 deaths each year, making it the second leading cause of cancer death. Symptoms can include persistent changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation, blood in the stool, or unexplained abdominal pain, bloating, or weight loss. Anemia, indicated by unusual tiredness or shortness of breath, can also be a sign of the disease.
Risk factors for bowel cancer include age, particularly over 50, smoking, and being overweight. Experts recommend lifestyle changes to reduce risk, such as a high-fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, regular physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and reducing intake of red and processed meats. The researchers' findings advocate for increased efforts to boost screening uptake for this disease.