AQW 39125/22-27


Mrs Ciara Ferguson
Sinn Féin
Foyle


Tabled Date: 27/01/2026
Answered On Date: 11/02/2026
Priority Written: Yes


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on (i) the Public Health Agency business case and implementation plan for the expansion of the bowel screening programme, reducing age eligibility from 60 to 50; and (i) any work undertaken to commence the reduction in sensitivity levels used in the Faecal Immunochemical Test, as outlined in the Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy 2022-32.


Answer:
The Public Health Agency’s business case and implementation plan for extending the NI Bowel Screening Programme, from the current 60-74 age eligibility range to 50-74 age eligibility range, has now been received by my department and is currently being considered by officials.
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. In April 2023, the NI Bowel Screening Programme did reduce the screening detection FIT threshold to 120 micrograms of blood per gram of stool sample.
Work to meet the commitments to expand the bowel screening programme 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 currently experiencing any symptoms of concern should contact their GP