New UK bowel cancer screening methods ‘will save lives’

The government's pledge to introduce new methods of bowel cancer screening in the UK is likely to result in earlier diagnosis and lower fatalities, according to a charity.

Mark Flannagan, chief executive of Beating Bowel Cancer, stated that the new commitment to using flexible sigmoidoscopy to screen for the condition can reduce the incidence of bowel cancer among those aged between 55 and 64 by one-third.

According to government plans, 60 million pounds will be invested to introduce the testing method, also known as Flexi-scope screening, over the next four years.

Mr Flanagan said it has the potential to save "many more lives" as long as people take up their invitation to be tested.

He also recommended that screening should focus on those in their 50s, due to the fact that bowel cancer cases are often diagnosed when the condition has already reached an advanced stage.

"If diagnosed at its earliest stage, bowel cancer can be successfully treated in nine out of ten cases," he explained.