Over 500 cancers were detected by the National Bowel Screening Programme, BowelScreen, between October 2012 and December 2015, a new report has shown.

However, uptake of the programme remains low, with just 40% of those invited during this period taking up the offer of screening.

Around 2,500 people are newly diagnosed with bowel (colorectal) cancer every year in Ireland and around 1,000 people die annually, making it the second most common cause of cancer death in this country.

According to BowelScreen's inaugural programme report, which looks at the screening statistics between 2012 and 2015, 488,628 eligible people were invited to participate, but just 196,238 took up the offer. This is a screening uptake rate of just 40.2%.

A total of 521 cancers were detected - a cancer detection rate of 2.65 per 1,000 people screened. Almost 13,000 adenomas were also removed during this period. These are abnormal tissue growths that are benign, but can become cancerous at a later stage.

"The removal of adenomas greatly reduces the possibility of subsequent cancer development, making BowelScreen a truly lifesaving programme," commented the programme's head of screening, Charles O'Hanlon.

He acknowledged that there have been challenges in establishing a new population screening programme and ‘there is more we can do to learn and improve uptake rates'. However, he insisted that BowelScreen is saving lives and must be acknowledged for its successes so far.

The report noted that of the 521 cancers detected, almost three in four were at an early stage, which gives people more treatment options and greatly increases their risk of survival.

The report also noted that uptake was higher among women - 44% compared to 36% of men - yet the cancer detection rate among men was double that of women.

"Low uptake of screening is worrying given bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in this country. We are particularly concerned about men, given that the cancer detection rate among males is twice as high as it is for females.

"It is so important that the men of Ireland take control of their health and do the test. It is a very quick, easy-to-use test that can be carried out in the privacy of your own home. It takes just minutes and most results are normal," commented BowelScreen clinical director, Prof Diarmuid O'Donoghue.

He said that the programme is committed to making continual quality improvements and to increase uptake.

"Although there remain a number of years before the programme is fully embedded and delivering to its maximum potential, it is clear from the results above that a strong foundation has been created, upon which to build further success," he insisted.

Christopher Fennell (65) from Clondalkin in Dublin took the BowelScreen home test last year, which led to the discovery of a number of pre-cancerous adenomas.

"I did the at-home test when it came in the post and after that, I got a letter telling me I needed to get a colonoscopy. I had to have it done twice as there were so many pre-cancers. If I hadn't done the free test, who knows what might have happened. I would encourage anyone who is invited to do the test," he explained.

BowelScreen is available to anyone aged between 60 and 69. To register, or for more information, click here or call 1800 45 45 55.