What kind of bowel cancer screening is available in Ireland, and what should people look for?
Following the death of athlete Ciara Mageean from bowel cancer, there are renewed calls to lower the age for national screening programs in Ireland. Experts emphasize that early detection is difficult for younger patients and advocate for increased awareness of symptoms.
Why it matters
The case highlights the limitations of age-restricted cancer screening programs and the critical need for public awareness regarding early symptoms in younger demographics.
DECORATED IRISH ATHLETE Ciara Mageean died on Sunday after revealing she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in July 2025.
The 34-year-old’s memoir was published in July this year, and speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 when it was released, Mageean said when she got her diagnosis she assumed it would be at an early stage because she was “so young and healthy”.
It was then discovered that Mageean had stage four cancer and that it had spread to her liver and lungs.
Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in men and the third most common cancer in women in Ireland.
Currently, in Ireland the National Bowel Screening Programme offers people aged between 57 and 71 a free at-home bowel screening test every 2 years.
Those whose screening results come back as not normal are invited for a free colonoscopy within 4 to 6 weeks.
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