Millions of people in their 50s are being urged to return their NHS bowel cancer screening kits after new figures revealed they are the least likely age group to take part in the potentially lifesaving programme. The latest NHS data shows only 56.2% of 54-year-olds completed their home screening test between April 2024 and March 2025, compared with 73.5% of people aged 70 to 74.

The warning comes as around 100 bowel cancers a week were detected through the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme over the past year. Almost 5.2 million people completed screening during the period – nearly half a million more than the previous year – after the programme was expanded to include younger age groups.

The NHS now sends a free home testing kit, known as a faecal immunochemical test (FIT), to everyone aged between 50 and 74 every two years.

The test involves collecting a small stool sample at home and posting it back to the NHS, where it is checked for traces of blood that could be a sign of bowel cancer.

Health chiefs said the programme is designed for people with no symptoms, meaning cancers can often be picked up before they become more advanced.

One of those diagnosed was Joanne, who was 54 when her first screening kit arrived after the eligibility age was lowered.

She had no symptoms and admitted leaving the test in her bathroom for a couple of weeks before completing it.

The results showed she needed further investigations, which led to doctors diagnosing bowel cancer.

Because it was detected early, Joanne underwent surgery in July 2024 and did not require chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

She said: "I had no symptoms when I received my test. Not one. So I was really shocked when the results came back.

"I'm just glad I did the kit. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't. It doesn't bear thinking about.

"I want to make sure everyone else my age is completing theirs when they get one – it's so easy to do and for me it was life-changing."

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said people in their 50s were not returning their kits in sufficient numbers.

He said: "People have extremely busy lives but we are concerned about the low numbers of people in their 50s returning their bowel screening kits.

"So if you remember Scott and Charlene's iconic Neighbours wedding, it's probably your time to do a test.

"Bowel cancer can develop without any symptoms, but catching it early saves lives.

"So when your kit from the NHS lands on the doormat, don't put it on a shelf and forget about it. Do the test and send it back – it could save your life."

The NHS now sends around 8.7 million home-testing kits each year, with almost one million more people invited for screening in 2024-25 than the previous year as the expansion to younger age groups was completed.

Overall uptake slipped slightly from 67.6% to 65.2%, although participation among people aged 60 to 74 rose to 72.9% – the highest level since records began in 2014.

The bowel cancer screening programme, launched in 2006, is marking its 20th anniversary this year.

Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, urged those receiving a kit for the first time not to delay.

She said: "If you're in your 50s, you may now receive a screening kit through the post for the first time. Every completed kit is an opportunity to detect bowel cancer early or even prevent it altogether.

"It only takes a few minutes to do at home, but those few minutes could make a life-changing difference. Don't put it off, complete your kit and return it as soon as you can."