The National Colorectal Screening programme will be kicked off in October and 28,000 people aged between 60 and 64 - the age group most at risk of bowel/colon cancer - will be tested every two years, Health Minister Joseph Cassar said today.

He said bowel/colon cancer was the second most common type of cancer in Malta but survival rates increased with early detection.

In contrast to the breast screening programme, people called up for colorectal screening will actually be performing the test themselves at home, using a kit which will be provided to them by the authorities, free of charge.

The Health Department will shortly embark on an educational campaign on the importance of screening, and how testing will be carried out.

The people undergoing the screening will be required to use a special stick to test for traces of blood in their faeces, the stick will then be placed in a bottle and sent to the Health Department.

Traces of blood may indicate the presence of polyps, which, once removed, would practically eliminate the cancer risk. However, the minister stressed, traces of blood may not automatically indicate cancer, and several other tests will be carried out as necessary.

In 2010 there were 232 cases of bowel cancer in Malta, with 119 patients having been men. 100 succumbed to the cancer.