Extending bowel cancer screening to over 50s would reduce deaths but cost up to €66m, Hiqa says

'Bowel cancer is more common in older age groups, but screening from the age of 50 is likely to be effective in terms of reducing deaths from colorectal cancer,' Hiqa’s deputy chief executive Dr Máirín Ryan said. File picture

Extending bowel cancer screening to over-50s would likely reduce cancer deaths but needs “significant investment” of up to €66m to introduce, Ireland's health watchdog has said.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) said services were already under pressure to meet existing demands, but the evidence showed a “good chance” that screening from the age of 50 would be a “good use of resources”.

“Bowel cancer screening can detect cancer at earlier stages, when there are no symptoms,” Hiqa’s deputy chief executive Dr Máirín Ryan said.

“Cancer found at earlier stages is easier to treat, which can improve outcomes for patients. Bowel cancer is more common in older age groups, but screening from the age of 50 is likely to be effective in terms of reducing deaths from colorectal cancer.” 

Bowel cancer, or colorectal cancer, is the second most common cancer in men and the third most common cancer in women. It is also the third leading cause of cancer death in Ireland.

Screening can lead to patients being referred on for a colonoscopy, which can then lead to referral for treatment.

Hiqa was asked by the National Screening Advisory Committee to assess whether or not bowel screening should be extended to 50-54-year-olds.

It has completed a draft of its assessment, which is now out to public consultation.

“If screening is extended to those aged 50 to 54, up to 219,000 more people could be invited to participate each year,” it said.

“In the first 10 years of the programme, over 2,000 extra colonoscopies may be needed each year.” 

This could cost between €45m and €66m over 10 years, Hiqa said, adding it would be important to “carefully plan” to extend screening to “avoid increases in waiting times for appointments and test results”.