A Teesside-based healthcare organisation has been an early adopter of a new national trial to lower the threshold for bowel cancer checks, supporting a rise in early bowel cancer detection.
Colleagues from the Tees Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, based at the University Hospital of North Tees, is one of just eight early-adopter sites in the UK – and the only in the North of England.
Since April 2025, the team have introduced a lower faecal immunochemical test (FIT) threshold, ahead of a national programme roll out. The sensitivity of the screening test means that patients who display even small amounts of blood in their poo (assessed through a home testing kit) will be called in for further screening.
The change is helping to detect and prevent significantly more bowel cancers and high‑risk polyps, following the introduction of the trial as part of a national NHS drive to save more lives.
Andrew Henson, programme manager for the Tees Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, said: “As one of the country’s early adopters – and the first in the North – we have already seen a real impact to lowering the FIT threshold.
“The significant rise in abnormal FIT results, diagnostic investigations and cancers detected locally shows just how valuable this change is. Detecting cancer earlier means more effective, less invasive treatment and, for many people, it can prevent cancer from developing at all.”
Since going live, the screening programme has seen substantial increases in cancer detection across the entire bowel screening pathway:
- 36% rise in abnormal FIT results (presence of blood in sample)
- 36% rise in Specialist Screening Practitioner (SSP) clinic attendance
- 37% rise in diagnostic testing (colonoscopy and CT colonography scan)
- 24% increase in cancers detected through screening
This means more people are being checked sooner and more cancers and high‑risk polyps are being found early, helping prevent illness and improving outcomes for patients.
Andrew added: “Early detection can be instrumental in positive healthcare outcomes when treating bowel cancer.
“If you are due your FIT test we would absolutely encourage that you take part. The test is completed from home and is discreet and hassle free – it only takes a few minutes and could save your life.”
Lowering the FIT threshold nationally should help the NHS to detect around 600 additional bowel cancers early each year and to identify 2,000 more high risk polyps – preventing cancers from even developing.
Help prevent bowel cancer
It’s vital not to ignore the warning signs of bowel cancer. Don’t wait for screening if you have symptoms. However, if you have no symptoms and are offered bowel screening, it is important to take advantage of the test. A couple of minutes of your time could save your life.
It could also mean the difference between avoiding cancer all together.
Anyone who notices a change in their bowel habit or symptoms should speak to their GP, even if they are not yet eligible for screening.
Find out more about our bowel cancer screening programme.