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<p>Evidence shows that screening people at a younger age would enable more bowel cancers
to be picked up at an earlier stage, where treatment is likely to be more effective
and survival chances improved. Based on the UK National Screening Committee’s (UK
NSC) last review of the bowel cancer screening programme, since April 2021, the National
Health Service in England has been gradually reducing the age for bowel screening
from 60 years old down to 50 years old.</p><p> </p><p>Modelling work commissioned
by the UK NSC at the time concluded that introducing the faecal immunochemical test
(FIT) for home testing in the 50 to 74 year old age range, at as low a threshold as
possible, would be the most cost effective approach. Work continues in this area to
ensure that lowering the age of bowel cancer screening down to 50 years old is done
with workforce planning and capacity. Further details of the evidence around screening
at a younger age and the modelling work, is available at the following link:</p><p><a
href="https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/bowel-cancer/"
target="_blank">https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/bowel-cancer/</a></p>
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