ONLY 43.3 per cent of those eligible to take a life-saving test for bowel cancer in Glasgow’s most deprived areas are being screened, figures show.

Overall, across the city, 53 per cent returned a sample in a new, simpler version of the home testing kit, the lowest in Scotland.

However, across Scotland, more people than ever before took part, since the introduction in 2017.

Participation increased among both sexes and all eligible age groups, with a significant increase in uptake among Scots who had never before taken part in bowel screening, from 8.2 per cent to 18.4%.

The new Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kit, which was rolled out in November 2017, has also seen the gap between participation among the most and least deprived Scots narrow. The biggest improvement in participation with FIT was among those living in the most deprived areas - up from 42.0% to 51.8%.

Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK, and about one in 20 people will get it during their lifetime. Kits are sent to those aged 50-74, although tests can still be requested beyond this age.

A major research project is being launched at the Beatson Institute, funded by Cancer Research UK, which aims to developed more personalised treatments for patients, depending on the type of cancer.

Anas Sarwar, Labour MSP for Glasgow, said:“Bowel cancer screening saves lives, and can detect cancer early when treatment has the best chance of working.

“It’s deeply concerning that uptake levels in Glasgow are the lowest in the country, with barely over half of 
eligible patients taking 
part. 

“Yet, at the same time, the city has one of the highest positive screening results, demonstrating how vital it is to participate.

“While the new bowel screening test introduced in 2017 has clearly had a positive impact, general uptake levels remain low in deprived communities."