Health chiefs are urging the over-60s to try to beat bowel cancer by using a home-testing kit.

Bowel cancer screening is available free to over-60s in England, but only about half of those eligible are taking part.

Today is Beating Bowel Cancer Day, which is part of the Be Loud Be Clear Awareness Week. And the 1,2,3 Campaign is also being held to encourage people to take up the home-testing programme.

Dr Linda Juby, clinical director of the bowel cancer screening service in Bradford and Airedale, is backing the campaign and urged everyone in the district eligible for screening to return their kit.

Those aged between 60 and 74 and who are registered with a GP will automatically receive a test kit through the post every two years.

The home kit is a test designed to detect bowel cancer, the UK’s second biggest cancer killer, as early as possible - even when people have no symptoms. Returned kits are processed quickly and appointments are offered at Bradford Royal Infirmary and Airedale Hospital at Steeton, near Keighley, if a problem is detected.

“It is quite personal but the advantage is that people can do this test in the privacy of their own home and do not have to visit the doctor,” said Dr Juby.

“It comes with full instructions and if people do find it distasteful we recommend they use disposable gloves. The key is to get yourself organised and do it.”

Since the service was set up in Bradford and Airedale in 2007, 92,000 screening kits have been sent out. A total of 51,000 returned the test. Dr Juby would like to see this take-up rate of around 55 per cent increase to more than 60 per cent.

Since 2007, 64 patients have been diagnosed with bowel cancer through the screening process and a further 480 with polyps - pre-cancerous legions.

“The earlier you catch a cancer the better and that is the idea of the screening programme,” said Dr Juby. “Those diagnosed with cancer are shocked and upset but say they are so grateful they sent in the kit. If they hadn’t, they would never have known.”

To request a replacement kit or if you are 75 or over and want to be screened, call the freephone helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

Find out more about bowel cancer screening at bowel123.co.uk.