FIRST time bowel screening test recipients in Ayrshire and Arran are being urged to join the ‘bowel movement’ as part of a campaign to further increase uptake in Scotland.

The importance of taking the test from the age of 50 has been underlined as new figures show around half of those aged between 50-51 in Scotland completed and returned their test in 2016.

Nationally, first timers account for around 10 per cent of bowel screening test invitations issued each year.

Bowel cancer is more common in those aged 50 and over, but nine out of 10 people survive bowel cancer if it’s caught early.

Every year, more than 500,000 people do the life-saving bowel screening test in Scotland.

The test – offered to people aged 50 -74 every two years – remains the most effective way of finding the disease early.

Mr Bob Diament, Colorectal Surgeon and Director of Ayrshire and Arran’s bowel screening programme, said: “Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland yet it is very curable if it’s found early.

“In fact, nine out of 10 people survive the disease if it’s detected and treated in its earliest stages."

For more information on the testing, visit getcheckedearly. org or call the Scottish Bowel Screening Helpline on 0800 0121 833.