Bowel cancer screening is currently offered to people aged 50 to 74 every 2 years (Image: Getty)
The NHS has confirmed automatic at-home cancer testing kits for older adults aged 50 to 74.
The tests are to screen for bowel cancer and are currently offered to people within this age group every two years, as the risk of this type of cancer gets higher as you age. The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) requires people to provide a stool sample at home, which is then sent by post to be tested to check if it contains blood, which may be a sign of bowel cancer. The NHS will automatically send out a FIT test through the post every two years if you’re aged 50 to 74 and registered with a GP, but health officials have raised concerns over the “low numbers” of people in their 50s opting to take part.
New figures from NHS England indicate that a little over half (56.2%) of 54-year-olds completed at-home testing kits in the 12 months from April 2024 to March 2025, compared to almost three-quarters (73.5%) of people in their 70s.
The NHS sends around 8.7 million FIT tests to eligible homes every year, with almost 5.2 million taking part last year.
During the year, uptake was down to 65.2% from 67.6% in the previous 12 months, with those in younger age groups less likely to take up the offer, prompting fresh calls from the NHS for people to complete the test.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, 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.”
The bowel cancer screening test can be done at home and includes a sample bottle, an envelope and instructions on how to complete it.
The results will usually be sent to you in a letter within two weeks after sending your sample and you’ll either be told that no further tests are needed, or that blood was found and further investigation is required.
In the latter case, you’ll be invited for an appointment with a specialist nurse and will usually need to have a colonoscopy. If blood is found, this doesn’t always mean you have cancer as there are more common and less serious causes for this, such as an anal fissure or bowel polyps.
Confirming who is eligible for a FIT test, the NHS said: “If you’re aged 50 to 74 and registered with a GP, you’ll automatically get a bowel cancer screening home test kit (FIT kit) through the post every 2 years.
“Depending on when you turned 50, you will be sent your first test at the age of either 50, 52 or 54. If you’re aged 75 or over, you can call the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060 every 2 years to ask for the test.
“If you do not have a permanent home address, you can ask your GP surgery for your test kit to be sent to the GP surgery or to another address.”
Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, added: “If you’re in your 50s, you may now receive a screening kit through the post for the first time. 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.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
