Screening detects 200 bowel cancer cases

Almost 200 cases of bowel cancer have been detected by the HSE’s BowelScreen programme since it was launched in early 2013, early figures to be released today will show.

To date, BowelScreen has invited more than 250,000 men and women aged 60 to 69 for screening and it has had a 45% participation rate.

Of the tests carried out, 95% have been normal while 5% of participants have been referred for a colonoscopy. That has led to the detection of almost 200 bowel cancer cases. Those with normal results are recalled for screening after two years.