Screening programme for bowel cancer could detect about 600 extra early cases

NHS England will lower the FIT threshold from 120 to 80 micrograms per gram next month, which is expected to raise follow-up testing and detect roughly 600 more early bowel cancer cases a year while increasing colonoscopies by about 35%.

NHS England will lower the detection threshold used in the home faecal immunochemical test from 120 to 80 micrograms of haemoglobin per gram of faeces from next month. The change will make more people eligible for further investigation and aligns England with Scotland and Wales. Officials say the adjustment could lead to more early detections of bowel cancer and more removals of high‑risk polyps. Northern Ireland will retain the current threshold. Key facts: - The FIT threshold in England is being reduced from 120 to 80 micrograms per gram, increasing sensitivity of the screening test. - The change is expected to detect about 600 more early bowel cancer cases per year and identify around 2,000 additional patients with high‑risk polyps. - NHS services are expected to carry out roughly 35% more colonoscopies, around 34,000 extra procedures annually, to investigate positive results. - Once fully implemented, officials estimate a reduction in late‑stage diagnoses and deaths from bowel cancer of about 6% and potential NHS savings of about £32 million a year. - The UK National Screening Committee recommends an optimal threshold of 20 micrograms but has advised a gradual move because of increased demand on colonoscopy and pathology services. - NHS England will introduce new digital alerts to notify people when kits are posted, and the Government's National Cancer Plan is due to be published next week. Summary: The threshold change is intended to expand screening sensitivity and increase early detection and prevention of bowel cancer. Health services will see a substantial rise in follow‑up procedures as the change is implemented. Officials expect modest reductions in late‑stage diagnoses and an estimated annual saving for the NHS. The threshold reduction takes effect next month, and the Government's National Cancer Plan is due to be published next week.