Norway will give bowel cancer screening to all 55-year-olds

All Norwegians over the age of 55 will soon be allowed to participate in bowel cancer screenings. The chances of survival are excellent if the disease is discovered early.

If you agree to take part, your stool sample will be examined every two years until you turn 65. The sample is collected at home and delivered to the Akershus University Hospital laboratory. They will be given the option to have a colonoscopy, or video examination of the intestine, if blood above a certain level is found.

One of the most prevalent cancers is bowel cancer. Each year, approximately 4,500 people are diagnosed with colon cancer, and 1,600 people pass away from it. Early diagnosis of the illness enables the beginning of treatment. According to the Cancer Register, more than 95% of people with this kind of cancer survive if they receive early treatment.

The offer was made to women and men in Stfold and Vestre Viken in May of this year. Next year, the offer will be extended to the rest of the nation. It will cover about 70,000 individuals in total.