Cancer move could save 150 lives

Bowel cancer is Scotland's third most common cancer

An estimated 150 lives could be saved each year by a new bowel cancer screening programme, according to Health Minister Andy Kerr.

It is hoped that by 2009 about 650,000 people will be issued with home test kits annually, with individuals being screened once every two years.

The scheme to target people aged between 50 and 74 was piloted for seven years in Fife, Tayside and Grampian.

Plans include opening a Scottish Bowel Screening Centre in Dundee.

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland, with the most recent statistics showing that 3,365 new cases were diagnosed in 2003, with 1,550 deaths recorded in 2005.

People sent the testing kits have been urged to use them

Mr Kerr said: "When it comes to cancer, early diagnosis and treatment can mean the difference between life and death.

"Experts have suggested that after the smoking ban, this is the most significant policy decision in the cancer area for many years."

Hilary Whittaker, chief executive of the organisation Beating Bowel Cancer, said the condition was treatable if picked up early enough.

"Targeting the 50-74 year old age group will make this programme the first of its kind in Britain and we congratulate Scotland on leading the way," she said.