Easier test for bowel cancer

Thousands more people across Scotland will benefit from the roll-out of a new and easier screening test to detect symptoms of bowel cancer.

The Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) requires participants to collect one bowel motion sample rather than the current test which requires samples over three days.

Research suggests FIT’s ease of use will encourage more people to take part in the programme. The test is being offered to all men and women in Scotland aged 50 to 74, every two years.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “Early diagnosis is crucial to saving lives. More than 90 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully, if diagnosed early.

“This new test will help us to better treat bowel cancer, Scotland’s second largest cancer killer with 1,600 deaths every year.

“The new test is easier to use than the previous process and this will increase the number of people completing screening.

“This will enable us to detect more conditions at an earlier stage, helping more people to beat bowel cancer than ever before.”