AQW 37121/22-27
Mr Eóin Tennyson
Alliance Party
Upper Bann
Tabled Date: 09/12/2025
Answered On Date: 29/12/2025
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether he has given consideration to reducing the age eligibility for the bowel cancer screening programme, in line with the UK National Screening Committee recommendations.
Answer:
The Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy (2022-32) has committed to reducing the sensitivity levels used in the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) tests and to lowering the age range in the NI Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, in line the UK National Screening Committee recommendation. The current UK National Screening Committee recommendation for bowel cancer screening is that it should be offered every 2 years to men and women between the ages of 50 and 74 years old using the FIT test at a sensitivity threshold of 20 µg Hb/g. Currently in Northern Ireland, men and women aged between 60 and 74 years old, who are registered with a GP, are eligible for bowel cancer screening. Work to meet the commitments to expand the bowel screening programme is ongoing but must be viewed within the context of wider financial and capacity challenges within the supporting services. Where a Screening Programme expands its eligibility, it is important that the associated infrastructure, including diagnostic capacity, workforce and any treatments that may be required, are aligned. I remain committed to ensuring that the NI Bowel Screening Programme is expanded in line with UK National Screening Committee recommendations and as outlined in my three-year HSC Reset Plan, subject to future departmental spending priorities. Regardless of age, anyone experiencing any symptoms of concern should contact their GP immediately.
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