Written answers

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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603. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider lowering the age for bowel cancer screening to 30 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3182/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The BowelScreen cancer screening programme aims to detect signs of bowel cancer at an early stage and currently invites people (men and women) aged 60 to 69 for a screening test every two years.

It is noted in the Programme for Government and the National Cancer Strategy 2017 - 2026 that BowelScreen will be expanded to all aged 55 to 74.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Screening Service (NSS) have a challenge in managing their current age cohort within capacity constraints. However, the NSS are working with their host hospitals to maximise available capacity for screened patients, and looking at ways to extend capacity into the longer-term, and to progress implementation planning to begin to increase the age range.

Future decisions about further changes to the age range in BowelScreen, beyond that already committed to, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers the evidence for changes in a robust and transparent manner. The Committee’s role is to undertake an independent assessment of the evidence for screening for a particular condition against internationally accepted criteria and make recommendations accordingly. This ensures policy decisions are informed by the best available evidence and advice. The NSAC also recently held its first 'Annual Call' for submissions from the public on new screening programmes, or proposed changes to existing programmes.

I encourage everyone who receives an invite from BowelScreen to take the screening test. Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers, with around 2,800 people diagnosed with this cancer every year. As with any cancer screening programme, BowelScreen is for healthy people without symptoms. It is vital that anyone who has symptoms they are concerned about contacts their GP for follow-up care.

If bowel cancer is found early, it is easier to treat and there's a better chance of recovery. There is lots of useful information on the HSE website, including about healthy lifestyle advice which can reduce the risk of bowel cancer.

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