Tests 'could cut deaths from bowel cancer by 150 a year'

Published on Tuesday 26 August 2008 21:56

BOWEL cancer screening could save about 150 lives a year in Scotland, research revealed yesterday.

The results of a pilot study in Tayside, Grampian and Fife indicated that cancer deaths would fall by 16 per cent through early detection.

Some 300,000 people aged 50 to 74 were invited to a series of screenings, and about 59 per cent of women and 49 per cent of men took up the offer.

Uptake of the tests was lowest in deprived areas.

Of those who tested positive, 80 per cent went on to have a colonoscopy.

Detection rates fell over three rounds of testing from 2.1 per 1,000 to 0.7 per 1,000. More cancers were detected in men than women.

Screening will now be extended nationally, to about 700,000 people.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Bowel cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths in the UK, but if picked up early, treatment of the disease is more successful.

"The Scottish Government is committed to rolling out fully the UK's most comprehensive bowel screening programme across NHS board areas by the end of 2009.

"Once up and running, we will invite approximately 700,000 men and women aged 50 to 74 to take part in screening annually. Evidence shows this will save around 150 lives every year.

"We will continue to work with health boards to publicise this important screening service to help improve uptake rate, particularly in disadvantaged areas."