To ask the Minister of Health when qFit testing for bowel cancers will be available through primary healthcare, and extended to include patients of age of 50 years or younger.

I am pleased to say that qFIT testing is now available in primary healthcare, in accordance with the revised Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN) Referral Guidance for Suspect Colorectal Cancer.

In relation to bowel cancer screening, the current programme is only offered to individuals aged 60-74 years. The UK National Screening Committee recommends that bowel cancer screening is effective for people aged from 50 years; in line with this my Department is considering an extension to the current programme age range as part of the forthcoming Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy. The strategy was published for public consultation today – the 25th August, giving all stakeholders and service users the opportunity to submit their views.