"More females than males participating in BowelScreen"

iptba · 25-04-2017 02:47PM #1

Uptake of bowel screening for females is higher than males (44.1 per cent compared to 36.4 per cent), yet the cancer detection rate among men is double that of women, according to the National Bowel Screening Programme inaugural programme report.

http://www.medicalindependent.ie/98760/more_females_than_males_participating_in_bowelscreen?platform=hootsuite

Sometimes I would make excuses for men. But this looks like something most people should be able to access without much difficulty.

Prof Diarmuid O’Donoghue, Clinical Director of BowelScreen, said: “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.”

Anyone aged 60 to 69 can register for BowelScreen online at www.bowelscreen.ie or by calling the Freephone number 1800 45 45 55.

24-02-2022 02:32PM

Just a heads up for anyone interested - I have been registered for Bowelscreen for the past few years, but when I checked online today, I found that I was no longer registered, presumably due to the HSE cyberattack. So I re-registered.

Many of you may not be eligible yourselves, but it might be worth warning your parents (or grandparents!) if they're in the age cohort (60 to 69) that they should register or re-register.

https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/bowel-screening/register-for-bowel-screening.html

iptba · 28-03-2026 03:57PM

They have now extended screening to those aged 58-70.

Not great to see this:

“In the case of bowel cancer, around 1,500 men in Ireland develop the disease every year. Although men are more likely than women to be diagnosed, only one in four take up their initial BowelScreen invitation.”

https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandwellbeing/arid-41817506.html

Article is informative and includes

Spot the symptoms

•Changes in bowel habits — diarrhoea, runny bowel movements, constipation, needing to poo more or less often than usual.
•Blood in your poo, which may look red or black.
•Stomach issues — cramps, general abdominal pain, bloating that doesn’t go away.
•Weight loss when you’re not trying to lose weight.
•Tiredness and lack of energy when you’ve had enough rest.
•Any unusual change you know isn’t right for you.
•If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should make an appointment to see your GP.

Also a 1-minute video.

As I recall, in other countries, bowel screening actually starts at a younger age.

Tigerbaby · 28-03-2026 04:10PM

This is personal.

I avail of this service.

I am a man in my mid-60s and I sent in a stool sample, which resulted in detecting blood which was "invisible to the naked eye".

A colonoscopy in Blanchardstown hospital detected a cancer tumour in mid December 2025. Happy Christmas me !

I was told that the prognosis was good. Both treatable and cureable.

Surgery in Beaumont end of January 2026 removed a section of bowel where the tumour was located. Follow-up meeting with surgeon confirmed that I was cured. no further action needed. Got the all-clear.

Obviously testing ( Ct scans, bloods and colonoscopies) are booked in for regular 6 monthly monitoring.

But I'm fixed!

To all out there. Get with the HSE Bowel Screening Programme.

It saved my life.

Round tower · 28-03-2026 05:23PM

I am registered, i got post about it a couple of years ago, must check when, i think u do a test every 2 years, my first one was clear

KaneToad · 28-03-2026 05:41PM

Males are always less likely to engage with medical services irrespective of the condition/complaint.

Females are far "closer" to the medical profession as it usually falls to them to fulfill the caring role for dependent children, dependent adults, aging family members. This would include their medical care.

There is also an argument that the female reproductive system is far more likely to have them interact with medical professionals.

Many males don't develop the habit of interacting with the medical profession - until it's too late.

Jim_Hodge · 28-03-2026 06:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124347610#Comment_124347610

There's isn't any interaction with the medical profession. I got a letter years ago with an option to take part. Every two years they send a test kit in the post.

iptba · 28-03-2026 10:23PM

Another informative article from the Irish Examiner on this:

I was healthy and had no symptoms but bowel cancer screening found a stage-two tumour

Only one in four men takes up the first BowelScreen invitation. The simple test can be carried out at home and only takes a few minutes. Brendan Looney says doing it was the best decision he ever made

https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandwellbeing/arid-41817320.html

”Almost 2,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Ireland every year. Also known as colon, rectal, or colorectal cancer, it is the second most common cancer in men, following prostate cancer, and the second most common cause of death.

Ireland’s BowelScreen programme has been in place since 2012 and is open to both men and women aged 58 to 70.

“Most of the value of the bowel screening programme is in picking up pre-cancer lesions that can be treated and therefore reduce the chances of getting cancer,” says Prof Pádraic MacMathúna, clinical director of BowelScreen.

“There’s a view out there that we’re mostly trying to pick up cancer with the test, but only about 4% to 5% of people who have a colonoscopy have cancer and almost 50% have pre-cancer. So the benefit is really in that pre-cancer stage.”

KaneToad · 29-03-2026 02:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124347636#Comment_124347636

That is an interaction.

I'm not denigrating the scheme. It's brilliant and much needed. I'm just pointing out the cultural/sociological issues with males and their health in Ireland.

Tigerbaby · 29-03-2026 11:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124348977#Comment_124348977

I agree KT.

We Men do tend to have an ostrich mentality - ignore it - not actively look after ourselves.

Women are far better at looking after their health.

Why is the big question ?

Do us men not value ourselves?

If so, then why ?

iptba · 29-03-2026 11:28PM

“Testing times are leading to positive outcomes: 'The test takes a few minutes, it’s simple to do'

The home screening test for bowel cancer in the BowelScreen programme is available to people aged between 58 and 70, and although four in 100 may be called for a colonoscopy, only 5% of those will have cancer.”

https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandwellbeing/arid-41817359.html

The first part of this, which is the main part, is a case history. Then a doctor talks about it.

iptba · 29-03-2026 11:32PM

Currently screening here is for 58-70 but they are planning to expand it to 55-74.

As I recall, some countries start even earlier than that.

You can actually buy the test across the counter or online: faecal immunochemical test

[COI: I have no financial or other involvement in testing].

KaneToad · 30-03-2026 11:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124350002#Comment_124350002

Various theories, as alluded to in my original post.

Females have more lifelong interactions with the medical profession due to

1) their (traditional) caring responsibilities: children, elderly parents, dependent relatives etc

2) their reproductive systems and the medicalisation of child birth

The Black Oil · 31-03-2026 08:58AM

Almost nine years on since the OP, BowelScreen will expand to those aged 51-71.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/free-bowel-screening-opened-up-to-116000-more-people-with-those-aged-57-to-71-now-eligible/a1972551034.html

"More females than males participating in BowelScreen"

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