A new initiative aimed at speeding up bowel cancer diagnoses has been launched across Glasgow and its surrounding areas. This pilot program, part of a UK-wide initiative funded by Cancer Research UK and supported by the Bowelbabe Fund, focuses on enhancing the use of Faecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT) for patients exhibiting potential symptoms of bowel cancer.
Scotland reports one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the UK, with approximately 4,200 people diagnosed each year. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country, claiming around 1,700 lives annually. The FIT kits, which are mailed to patients by their general practitioners, allow individuals to collect stool samples at home and send them for analysis. Traditionally, a further investigation was recommended when tests indicated at least 10 micrograms of blood per gram of stool. Under the updated system, the threshold for urgent referrals will increase to 20 micrograms, reflecting new national guidelines.
Clinicians assert that patients with results between 10 and 20 micrograms have a very low likelihood of having bowel cancer. Dr. Stephen McSorley, project lead and consultant colorectal surgeon at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), emphasized that these changes aim to facilitate the fastest possible diagnosis for high-risk individuals.
“By refining the FIT threshold and improving communication between primary and secondary care, we aim to ensure the fastest possible diagnosis for those at highest risk, while maintaining safety nets for others,” Dr. McSorley stated. “For the first time, patients will also receive written communication outlining their next steps, helping them feel more informed and supported.”
Patients whose results fall below the new threshold will continue to be monitored, with lower-priority referrals initiated as necessary. Additionally, a second FIT will be offered if symptoms persist or if iron deficiency anaemia is present. The evaluation of this pilot will be supported by research teams from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, with the potential for a broader rollout to other health boards if successful.
Associate Professor Brian Nicholson from the University of Oxford highlighted that the added safeguards would mitigate the risk of missed diagnoses and could inform improvements across the UK. The health board hopes this initiative will help meet the national target of ensuring 95% of patients begin treatment within 62 days of an urgent cancer referral—a goal that has not been met nationally since 2012.
While this pilot specifically targets patients with symptoms, individuals aged 50 to 74 are still encouraged to participate in Scotland’s national bowel screening programme every two years. Naser Turabi, director of evidence and implementation at Cancer Research UK, remarked, “Tackling diagnostic delays is critical to improving cancer outcomes, and this project has the potential to make a real difference for patients in the region and beyond.”
This initiative is part of Cancer Research UK’s Test Evidence Transition programme, designed to work with NHS teams to accelerate early diagnosis and enhance care standards. The commitment to improving bowel cancer diagnosis and treatment reflects a broader effort to address the significant health challenges posed by this disease in Scotland and beyond.
