A 'game changing' bowel cancer screening test will be rolled out across England which should see an extra 200,000 peeople tested each year.
The new test (Faecal Immonochemical Test [FIT]) is expected to increase screening uptake by around 10%. It tests for hidden blood in stool samples, which can be an early sign of bowel cancer. Only one stool sample is required instead of two samples from three separate stools with the current test.
'This new test is an exciting game changer for helping us beat bowel cancer. It is easier to use and will increase the number of tests and help us tackle cancer earlier,' said public health minister, Jane Ellison. 'Someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer every 15 minutes in the UK and we know early detection is absolutely crucial.'
The UK National Screening Committee recommended the test should be rolled out nationally, following a successful pilot programme involving 40,000 people. It will be offered to all men and women aged 60-74 every two years in a bid to spot the early signs of bowel cancer.
Dr Anne Mackie, director of programmes for the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), said: 'This is good news as this new test will make it easier for people to check for risk of bowel cancer - as early diagnosis and treatment can save lives. PHE has already started looking into the logistics of introducing FIT across England and is keen to see this new improved kit fully available as soon as possible.'
Currently around 58% of people complete the kit when they receive it. The Independent Cancer Taskforce has set an ambition of 75% uptake across England by 2020.
Deborah Alsina, the chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, called this introduction an 'important and crucial step' in saving more lives from bowel cancer.
'FIT has proven to be more accurate and easier for people to complete than the current test used in the Programme. Research ahs shown that FIT can increase uptake by 10% and even double uptake in groups that have previously not taken part in the programme.'
Bowel cancer is currently the second biggest cancer killer in England – every half an hour someone dies of the disease and it is hoped the new screening test will be a game changer. Around 90% of cases of can betreated successfully if detected earlier.