Despite the effectiveness of the BowelScreen programme in detecting bowel cancer early, many eligible individuals are neglecting to participate. Tom McHugh, diagnosed with bowel cancer without prior symptoms, highlights the importance of screening. Recent changes have expanded eligibility for free screening from ages 59 to 70, increasing access for around 48,000 more people. However, the uptake remains low, with figures showing a decline in participation, emphasizing the need for urgent awareness and action to improve screening rates and early detection outcomes.
However, hundreds of thousands of people eligible for the screening through BowelScreen are ignoring the invitation. Tom McHugh (64) from Dublin had no signs he was suffering from bowel cancer, but was diagnosed soon after he took part in the BowelScreen process.
I am proof that screening works, and for anyone hesitating, I would strongly encourage you to please participate. I was fit and healthy. I had no symptoms whatsoever and yet bowel cancer was there, and it would have gotten a lot worse had it not been caught early through the screening programme.
The HSE has extended the eligibility for the free screening programme from 59 to 70 years of age which will mean around 48,000 extra people are now able to avail of it.
The target uptake for the free BowelScreen is already low at 45pc, but participation last year suggested it was 'going backwards', according to the Irish Cancer Society.
Collection
[
|
...
]