Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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376. To ask the Minister for Health when the practice of general practitioners routinely taking stool samples from patients to test for a wide range of diseases ceased; if this has had a negative impact on the diagnosis of bowel diseases in particular; if he has satisfied himself with the present protocol for preventing bowel cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5144/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Screening for colorectal cancer under the BowelScreen programme was introduced nationally in November 2012. The aim of the programme is to increase early detection of these cancers in order to achieve better outcomes for patients.

Screening is offered to men and women aged 60 to 69 years. It was initially conducted on a three year round, with completion of the first round at the end of 2015. The programme will now move to screening every two years, thus increasing the potential benefits for patients.

The introduction of BowelScreen, and the current move to more frequent screening, is in line with best international practice in regard to the early detection and effective treatment of colorectal cancer.

The figures for the first round of screening (to end 2015) are as follows: