I thought I had a tummy bug, but it was bowel cancer

Marie McGrath never imagined she would be diagnosed with bowel cancer after a routine holiday. At 52, she maintained an active lifestyle and assumed her symptoms were a common stomach issue. However, her experience has sparked a call to lower the age for bowel cancer screening in Northern Ireland. While the Department of Health (DoH) acknowledges ongoing efforts to expand the program, it remains the only UK region where the threshold for blood traces in a home test is higher than in other parts of the country.

A missed opportunity for early detection

Currently, Northern Ireland’s screening program targets individuals aged 60 to 74, whereas England, Scotland, and Wales begin screening at 50. Marie’s case highlights how this gap could delay diagnosis. Her general practitioner, Dr. Jonny Dillon, noted that his own diagnosis at 49—despite no obvious symptoms—was a critical factor in her timely detection. “Bowel cancer wasn’t on my radar,” Marie said. “If there were tick boxes, I wouldn’t have ticked any.”

“She can’t really be saying these words to me,” she thought when the diagnosis was confirmed. “This is a tummy bug.”

Dillon, a Banbridge GP, emphasized that the screening process in Northern Ireland is missing key opportunities. Those aged 50 to 59 are not included, leaving them without five potential checks. He argued that adjusting the blood detection threshold in FIT tests—from 120 micrograms per gram of stool to 80—would identify more cases early. “This isn’t screening for a head cold,” he added. “It’s screening for a condition that could lead to life-changing surgery.”

Why early screening matters

According to the NI cancer registry, the average age for colorectal cancer diagnosis between 2018 and 2022 was 71, though 11.1% of patients were under 55. Early detection is crucial, as Bowel Cancer UK’s Genevieve Edwards noted: “More than nine in 10 people can survive the disease if caught early.” She criticized Northern Ireland’s lag, urging the executive to align with UK recommendations. The DoH confirmed plans to reduce FIT sensitivity levels and lower the screening age, as outlined in the Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy (2022–32).

“It will cost money upfront, but that will save money because people will be picked up and it will ultimately save many lives,” Dillon said.

Marie’s diagnosis came as a shock, but her timely treatment—surgery just two days after her 50th birthday—meant she avoided more severe interventions. As a father of three, she quickly returned to work within six months. “It was a huge shock,” she admitted, reflecting on how her GP’s awareness and personal experience played a pivotal role in her care.

Bowel cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in the UK. Screening via a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) detects blood in stool samples, enabling early diagnosis and the removal of polyps before they develop into cancer. Experts stress that lowering the screening age and sensitivity levels could transform outcomes for patients like Marie and Dr. Dillon.