Bowel cancer survivor urges people to take free home test

A 64-year-old man who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in July 2023 has urged people who are eligible to make use of the free home test they are sent.

Tom McHugh from Dublin said he only realised he had not received his own test after his wife, who is younger than him, received it.

Mr McHugh ordered a free home test and after he returned it, BowelScreen wrote to him saying he needed further tests and he underwent a colonoscopy.

After that test he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Mr McHugh said that before this happened he was completely symptom free.

“I was carrying on my usual lifestyle, vey active. I walked quite a lot, cycled quite a lot and holidayed a lot too, since I retired and was really enjoying life.”

His treatment plan after the diagnosis changed a few times. Mr McHugh was told he would require surgery and chemotherapy but that was later revised to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, first and then surgery.

Mr McHugh said that thanks to the screening programme he received a reasonably early diagnosis and the treatment was successful.

It was so successful that surgery was not required and Mr McHugh is now cancer free. He finished his treatment in January last year.

Mr McHugh has urged everyone eligible to make use of the free home test they are sent.

He said it is a very small and simple test and nothing to be embarrassed about.

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Concern over low uptake of bowel cancer screening

Mr McHugh shared his story as the Irish Cancer Society expressed concern that life-saving bowel cancer screening uptake is going backwards.

It said that the HSE target of 45% uptake in bowel cancer screening was missed last year, with just 41% of those eligible participating.

A free home screening test is offered to eligible people every two years.

From today, the age eligibility of BowelScreen has been expanded from 59-69 to 59-70.

It means around 48,000 more people will be eligible over the next two years.

Around 2,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year and it is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Ireland.

The ICS said the earlier bowel cancer is detected the better the outcome for the patient.

In 2024, only 2 in 5 people who were eligible to participate in BowelScreen took part.

“The Irish Cancer Society is deeply concerned that the uptake in lifesaving bowel cancer screening is going backwards. Ireland’s target uptake is just 45%, which is nowhere near the EU recommended bowel cancer screening target uptake of 65%,” the society said.

Uptake ‘disappointing, going in wrong direction’

Today marks the beginning of Bowel Cancer Awareness month.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Tallaght University Hospital Professor Barbara Ryan said that women are better than men at taking the test, which she described as a very simple process.

“I think that’s part of why having a bowel cancer awareness month and today, the first day, is really important to try and shine a light on this fantastic free service and try and encourage people within the age bracket to take part, as it’s extremely simple.

“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. You never get 100% uptake in any screening program, but this is disappointing and going in the wrong direction,” she said.

Prof Ryan said that one in 20 people receive a positive result following bowel screening.

“What we know is that of all the people who give a sample, about only one in 20 people will actually need to be referred to the colonoscopy, which means 19 out of 20 people will be given a very reassuring negative result,” she said.

“So it does seem like a no brainer, but unfortunately we never get full uptake for any screening service but hopefully this awareness and ongoing awareness will increase uptake for people.”

Ireland far off EU screening target

“Screening saves lives. It can detect bowel cancer before signs or symptoms are even present, and that means better outcomes and less harsh treatment pathways,” said Steve Dempsey, Director of Advocacy & Communications at the Irish Cancer Society.

“The Irish Cancer Society is deeply concerned that the uptake in lifesaving bowel cancer screening is going backwards. Ireland’s target uptake is just 45%, which is nowhere near the EU recommended bowel cancer screening target uptake of 65%.”

He continued: “About 48,000 more people will be eligible over the next two years. But without greater uptake, eligibility means little.”