'Bowel cancer is the third most lethal cancer, but a simple home test is improving survival rates'

The most notable gains in treatment success rates are seen in the age group participating in the bowel screening programme. So why are uptake rates so low?

Dr Alan Smith: “The five-year survival rate of people diagnosed with bowel cancer has increased from 50% to 66% over the past 20 years."
Picture: Moya Nolan.

Some 2,600 cases of bowel cancer are reported in Ireland every year. It’s the third most common cause of cancer death.

These are worrying statistics. However, measures have been put in place to improve them, says Dr Alan Smith, a consultant in public health medicine with the National Screening Service.