Will the Cabinet Secretary outline how many people over the age of 60 receive bowel cancer screening test kits in Wales?
In 2022-23, there were 226,300 people aged over 60 invited for bowel screening. In total 417,683 people were invited to take part in bowel screening across the eligible age range (55 to 74) in 2022-23.
The Welsh Government is expanding the bowel screening programme to offer screening to more people. As of October 2023, men and women who are registered with a GP practice in Wales aged between 51 and 74 have been offered bowel screening.
We intend to lower the starting age for screening to 50 this year. Once this has been achieved, many more bowel cancers will be identified at earlier, more easily treatable stages.
The programme has been working to reduce the starting age for screening from 60 since 2021, to meet the recommendation of the UK National Screening Committee, which recommends screening for people aged 50 to 74.