Bowel Cancer Guernsey wants screening age lowered to 50

Bowel Cancer Guernsey is calling for the minimum age for bowel cancer screening locally to be lowered to 50.

Anne Brouard, chairwoman of Bowel Cancer Guernsey, is reminding people that testing kits are being sent out to all 60-70 year olds. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 33945976)

And Health & Social Care confirmed it was looking at options to expand the programme within the Bailiwick.

Currently there are two-yearly screenings using FIT tests for those aged between 60 and 70.

The UK is now looking to send home testing kits to people as young as 50.

Bowel Cancer Guernsey chairwoman Anne Brouard said the charity would welcome measures to increase early diagnosis of the illness.

‘Of course, Bowel Cancer Guernsey would welcome an extension on screening ages,’ she said.

‘The aim of Bowel Cancer Guernsey is to improve awareness, prevention and diagnosis of bowel cancer in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.’

Health & Social Care is already looking to propose the age change.

However, it will be competing with other priorities and limited resources.

The screening aims to detect polyps or early-stage bowel cancer when treatment can be more effective.

However the tests are not 100% accurate.

‘While screening is important, islanders should also be aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer,’ said Di Mathews, strategic lead for screening at Health & Social Care.

The charity has done much to progress screening in the island, having funded the analyser machine that enabled the screening to start in 2019.

The tests are free and come automatically once islanders turn 60 years old.

If any symptoms of bowel cancer are detected people must go straight to a GP and those over 70 years old can request a test by phoning the screening office.

‘Screening can catch bowel cancer at an early stage and when detected early enough, over 90% of patients are successfully treated,’ said Mrs Brouard.

While tests are sent, it is also important that islanders then return them with a stool sample using the self-addressed envelope.

‘It’s really important that when people get this kit, they send it back as soon as they can,’ added Mrs Brouard.

For more information and a short video on how to complete a FIT test visit Bowel Cancer Guernsey. Anyone with concerns can contact bowel cancer screening at bowelcancerscreening@gov.gg or call 01481 223740.