IRELAND’S FREE BOWEL cancer screening programme is now available to men and women from age 58 to 70.

The HSE programme, BowelScreen, was previously only available to those aged 59 to 69 – the move will allow an extra 60,000 people to take part.

The programme allows people to carry out a test at home to determine if they are at risk of bowel cancer. If so further tests are carried out in the hospital.

There is a commitment to screen those aged 55 to 74 in the future.

Bowel screening aims to prevent bowel cancer developing by detecting signs of bowel cancer at an early stage, where there are no symptoms.

Around 2,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Ireland every year. It is the second most common of all cancers in men and the third most common of all cancers in women in Ireland.

If bowel cancer is found early, it’s easier to treat and there’s a better chance of recovery.

People can use the new online system to check if they are registered with BowelScreen, provide your contact details, check when your next test is due and request a home test kit.

How does BowelScreen work?

People will receive an invitation for bowel screening between their 58th and 60th birthday.

They can then request their kit online using the QR Code on the letter, or by phoning 1800 45 45 55 or emailing info@bowelscreen.ie.

BowelScreen send the home test kit. People then send back a small sample of poo for testing and BowelScreen test the sample.

Most people (96 out of 100) get a normal result – this means that no blood is found, and they are sent another test in two years. If blood is found above a certain limit, you will be referred for a further test called a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy is done in one of the 15 hospital endoscopy units. A camera on the end of a thin flexible tube is used to look inside your bowel. Pre-cancerous changes (polyps) can be removed during the procedure. Removing polyps helps prevent cancer developing.

Of the small percentage of people who have colonoscopies, approximately 1 in 20 will have a cancer detected through screening.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD said: “The continued expansion of the BowelScreen Programme by the HSE’s National Screening Service is an important step in our ongoing investment in public health and disease prevention.

“This will ensure that more people across Ireland can benefit from early detection, timely treatment and ultimately better outcomes.”

“The inclusion of 58-year-olds in the latest phase will extend access to colorectal cancer screening to an additional 60,000 people across the country. I encourage all those eligible to take up their BowelScreen invitation, and to engage with our screening services.”