'It's time to do a test': Bowel cancer screening for people in their 50s critically low, NHS warns

The number of Britons in their 50s who take part in bowel cancer screening remains critically low, the NHS has warned.

New figures reveal that just over half of 54-year-olds (56%) completed the at-home screening tests provided by the NHS, compared to almost 74% of 74-year-olds.

The NHS sends the free faecal immunochemical test (FIT) to the homes of people aged between 50 and 74 every two years.

It requires a small stool sample, which can then be sent back in a pre-paid envelope.

The programme helped diagnose 100 cases of cancer a week on average in the year from April 2024 to March 2025 according to the latest figures.

Improvements to bowel screening combined with increased uptake of the testing are expected to save almost 6,000 lives by 2035, according to the National Cancer Plan.

Almost 5.2 million people took part in the programme, NHS England said.

The NHS sends about 8.7 million FIT tests to homes every year.

NHS national clinical director for cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, said: "People have extremely busy lives but we are concerned about the low numbers of people in their 50s returning their bowel screening kits.

"So if you remember Scott and Charlene's iconic Neighbours wedding, it's probably your time to do a test.

"Bowel cancer can develop without any symptoms, but catching it early saves lives.

"So when your kit from the NHS lands on the doormat, don't put it on a shelf and forget about it. Do the test and send it back - it could save your life."

Uptake was down this year, at 65.2% compared to 67.6% in the previous 12 months, with those in younger age groups less likely to take up the offer.

In the 60 to 74-year-old age group, 72.9% were up to date with screening.

'I'm just glad I did the kit'

Joanne Vernon, from Wigan, was 54 when she received her kit and completed it after a couple of weeks.

Her results came back saying she needed further tests and she was diagnosed with early-stage bowel cancer.

Ms Vernon, now 56, had surgery in July 2024 and is urging others not to put off screening.

She said: "I had no symptoms when I received my test. Not one. So I was really shocked when the results came back.

"I'm just glad I did the kit. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't. It doesn't bear thinking about.

"I want to make sure everyone else my age is completing theirs when they get one - it's so easy to do and for me it was life-changing."

Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said: "Every completed kit is an opportunity to detect bowel cancer early or even prevent it altogether.

"It only takes a few minutes to do at home, but those few minutes could make a life-changing difference. Don't put it off, complete your kit and return it as soon as you can."

Cancer Research UK's chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: "Completing this test at home can be as quick as making a cup of tea, and those few minutes could be lifesaving - we encourage everyone who's eligible to take part in bowel screening.

"We know catching cancer earlier boosts people's chances of survival, and it's concerning that fewer people in their 50s are taking up the chance to do these quick and easy at-home tests in England."

(c) Sky News 2026: 'It's time to do a test': Bowel cancer screening for people in their 50s critically low, NHS war