Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Screening programme prevents 20,000 cases of bowel cancer; expansion planned for over 50s

In the UK, nearly 43,000 individuals are diagnosed with bowel cancer annually

Screening programme prevents 20,000 cases of bowel cancer; expansion planned for over 50s

A study has revealed that England's screening programme has successfully averted 20,000 instances of bowel cancer over the course of a decade.

The initiative, which initially targeted individuals aged 60 and above, since 2006, is now set to extend its reach to those aged 50 and older starting in 2025.


Colorectal cancer ranks as the third most prevalent form of cancer globally, and projections from the World Health Organisation predict a staggering rise to 3.2 million new cases annually by 2040, resulting in 1.6 million deaths each year.

In the UK, nearly 43,000 individuals are diagnosed with bowel cancer annually, The Guardian reported.

The routine NHS bowel cancer screening reduces the likelihood of succumbing to bowel cancer which stands as the fourth most prevalent form of the disease.

Screening plays a pivotal role in averting bowel cancer or detecting it in its initial phases, facilitating more effective treatment.

The typical progression of bowel cancer involves the development of polyps over a span of 10 to 15 years.

Symptoms include changes in toilet habits, abdominal pain, and the presence of blood in stools.

National screening programmes strive to prevent colorectal cancer by identifying and removing polyps before they turn cancerous.

The NHS screening initiative was initially launched in 2006 for adults aged 60 to 69, eventually expanding in 2010 to include individuals aged 60 to 74.

Participants receive an NHS bowel cancer stool sample kit every two years, and if blood is detected, they are offered a colonoscopy.

Research conducted by the University of Bristol and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, utilising data from the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service database, analyzed bowel cancer rates before and after the inception of the screening programme.

The findings indicate that rates of colorectal cancer in the lowermost portion of the large bowel have declined by almost 15% since the introduction of the programme in 2006, potentially preventing around 20,000 cases.

However, the reduction for cancers in the uppermost section of the colon was minimal due to the inherent challenges in detecting and removing polyps through colonoscopy.

Dr David Messenger, co-author of the report and consultant colorectal surgeon at Bristol Royal Infirmary, suggests that the study warrants consideration for offering screening to younger adults, given the rising incidence of bowel cancer among individuals under 50.

Dr Lisa Wilde, from Bowel Cancer UK, emphasises the significance of screening and highlights the potential impact of enhancing the screening programme to enhance its effectiveness.

She urges eligible individuals to participate in screening, emphasising its potential to save lives.

Additionally, Dr Claire Knight, senior health information manager at Cancer Research UK, welcomes the study's promising outcomes, noting that it could potentially reduce cases among those screened, particularly in more disadvantaged areas where the risk of developing bowel cancer is higher.

To ascertain the full extent of bowel cancer screening's preventive capabilities and early detection potential, further research over extended periods will be necessary.

Along with the primary symptoms of bowel cancer including blood in the stools, alterations in bowel patterns, increased frequency or diarrhea, bloating, a decrease in appetite might manifest, coupled with unintended and substantial weight loss and unexplained fatigue.

While these symptoms don't necessarily indicate bowel cancer for most individuals, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner if any of these symptoms are experienced for a duration exceeding four weeks.

More For You

Staying up late may speed up brain decline, researchers warn

A one-hour delay in sleep routine is linked to a sharper drop in cognition over time, the study found

iStock

Staying up late may speed up brain decline, researchers warn

A night owl, or an evening person with a late sleep-wake cycle, could be at a higher risk of cognitive decline with age compared to an early bird or a morning person, a study has found.

Chronotype refers to one’s sleep-wake type or times during the day when one naturally tends to be awake and asleep. A ‘night owl’ chronotype is said to have a later sleep-wake cycle, compared to an ‘early bird’ or a ‘lark’.

Keep ReadingShow less
Father’s Day

Father’s Day reflects a wide range of traditions shaped by history, culture and emotion

iStock

What Father’s Day means around the world: A celebration of presence over presents

Father’s Day is often seen as a time for cards, tools or a family lunch, but across the globe, it carries a much deeper significance. Beyond the commercial promotions, Father’s Day reflects a wide range of traditions shaped by history, culture and emotion. While some mark the occasion with grand gestures, others focus on quiet reflection, respect and the bonds that define fatherhood.

Thailand’s day of respect

In Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on 5 December, the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The day is as much about honouring the nation’s former monarch as it is about celebrating fatherhood. Citizens wear yellow, the king’s birth colour, and present canna lilies to their fathers as a symbol of gratitude and respect. It’s a cultural blend of familial and national reverence.

Keep ReadingShow less
Strong chance of Northern Lights in Hertfordshire after aurora alert

The alert is based on elevated geomagnetic activity levels

Getty Images

Strong chance of Northern Lights in Hertfordshire after aurora alert

A rare display of the aurora borealis was expected over Hertfordshire after a red alert was issued on Friday, 13 June, by space weather experts. The phenomenon, also known as the Northern Lights, is expected to be seen across large parts of the UK if conditions remain clear.

Red alert signals strong aurora activity

AuroraWatch UK, a monitoring service run by Lancaster University’s Space and Planetary Physics group, issued a red alert on Friday morning. According to the service, this means: “It is likely that aurora will be visible by eye and camera from anywhere in the UK.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Chef Sultan Al‑Mahmood Reveals Stress‑Free Cooking Tips

Chef Sultan Al-Mahmood from the Grande Restaurant in London

Instagram/ thegrande_stratford

MasterChef Sultan Al-Mahmood shares expert tips for stress-free cooking

It may be an essential life skill, but for many, cooking at home can feel intimidating – especially for beginners.

With the cost-of-living crisis, more people are choosing to prepare their own meals and experiment with dishes in their kitchens. Others, inspired by restaurant dishes, social media trends and the rise in home cooking during Covid-19, are now looking to improve their own culinary skills.

Keep ReadingShow less
How menopause makes south Asian women more vulnerable to diabetes

As we mark Diabetes Awareness Week (10–16 June), it’s time to shine a light on how disproportionately it affects south Asian women

iStock

Menopause & Diabetes Risk

Kiran Singh

We often talk about diabetes and menopause as two separate issues. But for many South Asian women in midlife, they collide quietly, invisibly, and with lasting impact.

As we mark Diabetes Awareness Week (10–16 June), it’s time to shine a light on this hidden overlap - and how it disproportionately affects women in our community.

Keep ReadingShow less