Detection rate 11% in cancer screening

A PILOT bowel cancer screening programme detected cancer in 11% of test cases, an Oireachtas Committee was told yesterday.

The programme, which has been taking place at Tallaght Hospital in Dublin, also found early cancer polyps in a further 33% of procedures.

Consultant gastroenterologist, Prof Colm O’Moráin, told members of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children that the interim findings from the first part of a two-year study made a very strong case for a national screening programme.