THE age at which bowel cancer screening starts in England is to be lowered from 60 to 50 following a campaign by a York MP.

Ministers have accepted the proposals of independent experts that screening should be offered to people aged 50 to 74 years old, using the faecal immunochemical home test kit (FIT).

It is a success for York Outer MP Julian Sturdy, who has been active in lobbying the government, asking Theresa May to listen to proposals to lower the screening age from 60 to 50 at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons.

He also added his voice to cross-party calls to lower the screening age, and improve testing more broadly, in a parliamentary debate.

Mr Sturdy said: “I am delighted to hear the Health Secretary has decided to lower the bowel cancer screening age, listening to calls from me and many other people.

“This extension provides greater certainty and security for families in York and right across the country. We can move to limit the terrible impact of this cancer by catching it sooner.

“I am very encouraged that the lower screening age and new FIT test are being considered as part of the government’s long-term NHS plan, backed with significant new funding.

“I will continue to monitor the roll-out of these new arrangements on behalf of York residents.”

BBC newsreader George Alagiah and former health secretary Andrew Lansley are among those who have called for earlier screening for the disease.

Alagiah, who is receiving treatment for bowel cancer for the second time, tweeted: “As I prepare for my 24th infusion of chemo next week, delighted to hear that bowel cancer screening will be available at age 50 in England. About time. It will save lives and hopefully mean fewer patients have to go through the kind of treatment I’ve had.”

Lord Lansley, announcing he was also being treated for the disease in April, urged the Government to cut the age of screening to 50 in the future “in line with international best practice”.

FIT, which is easier to use than the current test and more accurate in detecting potential cancer, is already due to be rolled out in the autumn and will initially be offered to those aged 60 to 74 years old every two years.

It is expected to be gradually rolled out to over-55s, followed by over-50s, but no timetable has yet been given.

Bowel cancer is responsible for the deaths of some 16,000 people a year, and is the fourth-most common cancer in the UK.