Researchers offer solution to help tackle patient backlog in the NHS bowel cancer screening program

In England, 37 people die each day from bowel cancer, but screening using fecal blood testing followed by a colonoscopy can reduce both the incidence of this cancer and the number of resulting deaths. The NHS bowel cancer screening program invites everyone of a certain age to use a home kit that tests the amount of blood in their feces. Those who have a fecal blood test result above a defined level are invited for a colonoscopy, but two factors—the COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of a lower screening invitation age—have led to a higher demand for colonoscopy appointments, creating a backlog of patients.