NHS reports lower bowel screening uptake among people in 50s

NHS England has highlighted a gap in bowel cancer screening participation among people in their 50s, releasing figures that show this age group returns test kits at a lower rate than older cohorts. The latest annual data, covering April 2024 to March 2025, indicate that 56.2% of 54-year-olds took part in the bowel screening programme.

The national screening initiative detects approximately 100 cancers every week, according to NHS England. Despite this, uptake among those in their early 50s remains comparatively low, prompting renewed calls for eligible adults to complete and return the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) kits sent to their homes.

Participation figures by age

The 56.2% participation rate for 54-year-olds is drawn from the most recent annual bowel screening statistics. NHS England notes that people in their 50s are less likely to return the kits than those in older age brackets, although specific comparative figures for other ages were not provided in the release.

Bowel cancer screening is offered to men and women aged 54 to 74 in England, with the programme expanding to include 50-year-olds in recent years. The FIT kit requires a small stool sample to be posted to a laboratory, where it is tested for traces of blood that may indicate polyps or early-stage cancer.

Weekly cancer detection

The programme’s detection rate of around 100 cancers per week underscores the role of screening in identifying bowel cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment is more likely to be effective. NHS England has stated that the test can detect cancer before symptoms appear, and that early diagnosis is associated with improved survival outcomes.

Bowel cancer is among the most common cancers in the UK, with incidence rising in younger age groups. The NHS has been working to increase uptake through awareness campaigns and by simplifying the testing process, but the latest figures suggest that participation among people in their 50s remains a challenge.

Context and response

NHS England’s call for people in their 50s to return screening kits follows a broader effort to improve early detection rates across all cancer types. The organisation has previously reported that bowel screening uptake fell during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not fully recovered in some age groups.

The figures released this week do not include breakdowns by sex, ethnicity, or region, but national data have consistently shown variation in screening participation across different demographic groups. NHS England has said it is working with local services to address barriers to participation, including language, accessibility, and awareness.

The bowel screening programme in England has been gradually extended to younger age groups, with 50-year-olds now invited to participate. The latest data on 54-year-olds may reflect the early years of this expansion, as individuals newly invited to screening may be less familiar with the process or less likely to prioritise the test.