Deputy Erin McGreehan, Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, has welcomed the expansion of BowelScreen, Ireland’s free National Bowel Screening Programme, to include people from the age of 58.
The change means that 60,000 more women and men from across the country will be invited to take part in BowelScreen.
The programme offers at-home tests designed to detect bowel cancer early or prevent it from developing.
Symptom-free men and women aged 58 and over are urged to avail of the screening.
Following their first test they will be offered another after two years.
Over time the HSE will expand the eligible range to between 55 and 74.
Deputy McGreehan said:
“This step will undoubtedly save lives. It cannot be said enough how vital early detection is, the earlier we catch bowel cancer, the better the chances of successful treatment.”
According to the 2024 report from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI), approximately 2,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Ireland each year.
Bowel cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Ireland after lung cancer.
It is also the second most common cancer in men and the third most common in women.
The most recent programme report shows that the overall uptake rate in the BowelScreen programme is 46.4%.
Nine out of ten people who complete one test go on to take part again.
Deputy Erin McGreehan went on to say:
“I strongly encourage everyone who’s eligible to take part in this screening. The HSE will begin sending out invitations shortly.
“Whether you’re 58, 70, or anywhere in between, the message is simple: when your letter arrives, please do the test. It’s quick, easy, and could save your life.”
For more information on BowelScreen and eligibility, visit hse.ie/bowelscreen.
For further information, reach out to Erin McGreehan.
ENDS
