Some 192 cases of bowel cancer or pre-cancerous tumours of the bowel have been detected during the first two years of a screening programme in the Tallaght area of Dublin.
A total of 10,000 men and women between the ages of 50 and 74 years were offered free bowel cancer screening through a programme operated by Tallaght Hospital.
Of the 5,063 people who accepted the offer of screening, 154 were found to have pre-cancerous adenomas and 38 had early stage bowel cancer, which might never have otherwise been detected.
Participants were sent test kits which they could use in their own homes. They had to provide samples of bowel movements which were then analysed for traces of blood. If blood was detected they were offered a colonoscopy.
Marie Barnes, who was a participant in the programme, and who was diagnosed with cancer as a result said she had no symptoms before the tests. "I was the perfect candidate for cancer without even knowing it. I thought I had the perfect bowel," she said. "If it wasn't for the bowel screening programme, I would have never known. I owe my life to them".
Prof Colm O'Morain, consultant gastroenterologist at Tallaght Hospital and Dean of Health Sciences at Trinity College Dublin, said the expertise gained from this programme will be particularly crucial in the commencement of a notional bowel cancer screening programme in the future.
"It is estimated that practically all colorectal cancer can be prevented or cured if early stage cancers are detected and removed," he said.
Prof O’Morain pointed out that most of the 38 cases of cancer detected were early stage disease. He said while 154 cases of polyps were found, all of which were benign, it was believed 99 of these had the potential to become cancerous if they were not removed.
While he said that overall 192 cases of polyps or cancer were detected, it was believed only 137 were cancerous or had the potential to become cancerous in the longer term. This was because 55 cases of polyps detected were “hyperplastic polyps” which experts do not feel have the potential to become malignant.
A national bowel cancer screening programme has been promised by Minister for Health Mary Harney. It is due to start on a phased basis in 2012.
About 900 people die from bowel cancer in the State each year.
While the uptake of the Tallaght bowel cancer screening programme was just 51 per cent, the organisers say this is encouraging as it was not supported by a public awareness campaign.
Participation rates were lower among men and socially deprived groups.