| answer text |
<p>Since 2019, the National Health Service Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP)
in England has issued a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit to eligible people for
use at home, which can detect changes in the bowel which, if left untreated, could
lead to cancer. The FIT kit requires one sample to be taken and replaced the previous
test which required three samples, which has increased uptake in England.</p><p>The
FIT home testing kit is currently available to everyone aged 60 to 74 years old and
the majority of 56-year-olds. The NHS BCSP is expanding the FIT kit offer to 58-year-olds
and the programme will be offered to all those aged 50 to 74 years old by 2025. In
2023, an NHS bowel cancer screening communications and marketing campaign is planned
to increase the uptake of the FIT home testing kit in eligible people across England.</p><p>Obesity
can increase the likelihood of developing bowel cancer therefore we have introduced
measures to help people to achieve and maintain a healthier weight. New Regulations
on out-of-home calorie labelling for out of home food sold in large businesses including
restaurants, cafes and takeaways came into force on 6 April 2022. These aim to ensure
people can make more informed, healthier choices when eating food out or ordering
takeaways. We are also working to make the food and drink that is available to consumers
healthier through reformulation programmes.</p><p>Reducing tobacco use and supporting
smokers to quit can prevent 15 types of cancers, including bowel cancer. An independent
review of the Government’s tobacco control policies led by Javed Khan, published on
9 June 2022, makes recommendations to support the Government’s ambition for England
to be smoke-free by 2030. We are currently considering the recommendations to inform
a new Tobacco Control Plan.</p>
|
|
