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Bowel cancer detection rates in Wales have doubled since the screening age was lowered from 60 to 50 four years ago.

Since the screening age was lowered in 2021, bowel cancer diagnoses have increased in the screening programme from 211 in 2020/21 to 457 in 2023/24.

Annual invitations for screening have also increased from 223,000 to more than 500,000.

The screening age was lowered in a bid to catch more bowel cancer cases early, giving people a better chance of survival.

Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, with more than 2,000 people diagnosed every year in Wales. When caught in its early stages, the cancer is treatable, curable and survival chances increase significantly.

Screening for bowel cancer is offered to everyone aged 50 to 74 who’s registered with a GP in Wales. Those eligible receive a test kit in the post at 50, and then again every two years afterwards.

Screening can help spot bowel cancer before symptoms start and detect polyps, which are noncancerous growths which can be removed and prevent cancer from developing in the first place.

Jeremy Miles, Wales’ health secretary, said: “Preventing and treating cancer is a long-term commitment for us and early detection is vital to improve cancer outcomes.

“One year on from reducing the screening age to 50, these results speak for themselves. Finding cancer early is hugely beneficial to our health service and can mean the difference between life and death for the individual. So I urge everyone 50-years-old and over to take full advantage of the programme.

“We are also investing significantly and working with the NHS to ensure it has the capacity to investigate and treat more cancer cases in the long term.”

Steve Court, head of programme for Bowel Screening Wales, said: “The lowering of the screening age has been a major step forward in the fight against bowel cancer in Wales.

“More people than ever before are taking advantage of the home test kit, and more cancers are being detected as a result. This means lives will be saved: nine out of ten people survive bowel cancer if it is caught early.

“I strongly encourage eligible people to take part when they receive their test kit through the post. It’s free, easy-to-use and it could save your life.”