Bowel cancer is Ireland's second biggest cancer killer, however the disease is preventable and treatable if caught early enough, experts have highlighted.

Around 2,500 people are newly diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in Ireland and 1,000 people die from the disease. April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and as part of this event, BowelScreen, the National Bowel Screening Programme, is urging everyone aged 60-69 to avail of its free home test.

"Bowel cancer is a big killer in Ireland, but the good news is that it is also one of the most preventable and treatable types of cancer, thanks to screening.

"Bowel screening, with a simple home test, can detect abnormal changes in the bowel which can often have no signs or symptoms. These changes can develop into cancer over time. However, if they are caught at an early stage, there are more treatment options and increased chance of survival. This is why screening is so important," explained BowelScreen's clinical director, Prof Diarmuid O'Donoghue.

He emphasised that the vast majority of participants will get a normal result and have no need for further tests. They will simply be invited to take part again two years later.

For a small number of people, the home test might signal the need for further examination, such as a colonoscopy. About half of these colonoscopies will detect and remove pre-cancerous growths, preventing bowel cancer from developing at a later stage.

The BowelScreen home test is free and only takes a few minutes to complete.

The latest figures available from the programme show that it is saving lives. To date, over 700 cancers have been detected and almost 19,000 pre-cancerous growths have been removed.

"However, fewer than 40% of eligible people have availed of BowelScreen in the most recent screening round - it is really important we increase this. This month, we are urging everyone aged 60 to 69 to check they are on the BowelScreen register to receive their home test. People can do this via our freephone number 1800 45 45 55, or by clicking here," Prof O'Donoghue said.

Keith Cairns from Terenure in Dublin was surprised to find that the results of his home test were not normal, as he had displayed no symptoms beforehand. Soon after, he was contacted by BowelScreen to discuss a colonoscopy for further testing.

"A couple of weeks went by and I got a call from a nurse in BowelScreen. She talked me through the entire procedure and was very reassuring. After the procedure, a nurse then showed me my scan and gave me the great news that all was ok. There were a couple of polyps which had been removed but otherwise all was ok," he explained.

This was the second time Mr Cairns did the home test and he wants to highlight the importance of it.

"With BowelScreen, the State is offering a free service to help people live longer. Even if something is found, the chances of recovery are good. This is fantastic. If I can do it, anyone can," he said.

For more information on BowelScreen, click here

The risk of developing bowel cancer can be reduced by:
-Being more physically active
-Including plenty of fibre in the diet, which can be found in fruit, vegetables, brown rice and cereals, and wholegrain bread
-Eating less processed and red meats
-Maintaining a healthy weight
-Limiting alcohol intake.