Northern Ireland Health Minister Robbie Butler announced a major expansion of the regional screening programme for bowel cancer.
From 2 November, thousands more people will be invited for the potentially life-saving bowel cancer screening.
Invitations will be extended to people aged 59, with 58-year-olds joining the programme from April 2027. The phased rollout will continue until everyone aged 50 to 74 is eligible by 2031.
The expansion is designed to detect bowel cancer earlier, improving treatment outcomes and helping to save lives.
Robbie Butler said: “This investment will not only improve outcomes for patients but is also expected to deliver annual health service savings of between £1.7 million and £2 million once fully implemented.
“I want to thank Health and Social Care staff and officials across Northern Ireland who have worked tirelessly to put the infrastructure and arrangements in place to make this expansion possible.
“Most importantly, I would strongly encourage everyone who receives a screening kit to take part. Bowel cancer screening saves lives."
Professor Lourda Geoghegan, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers, with more than 1,300 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year.
She said, “Once fully implemented, the programme will invite an additional 135,000 people every year, increasing participation by around 80% compared with current screening levels.”
