Bowel cancer screening kits are now being sent to men and women aged 74 years old across Cyprus, the health ministry said on Tuesday.

A ministry spokesperson told the Cyprus Mail that 74-year-olds are being prioritised in the first rollout of tests, given the fact that due to Cyprus’ climate, it is not feasible to offer the tests in summer, and many 74-year-olds will turn 75, and thus be too old to take the test, by the time conditions are suitable again in October.

When October arrives, the spokesperson said, test kits will be sent “gradually” to people aged between 50 and 74 years of age, with this gradual rollout done with the aim of not overwhelming doctors.

The test kits are free at the point of use to all people aged between 50 and 74, with the health ministry saying that “the goal of the programme is to detect bowel cancer at an early stage, since it can be cured or effectively treated if detected early”.

The test is known as a “faecal immunochemical test”, with scientists able to detect blood in a patient’s stool – a key indicator of bowel cancer – from the sample.

People will receive in the post an envelope containing a written invitation to participate in the programme, an information leaflet on bowel cancer, as well as a stool collection receptacle, detailed instructions on how to collect a stool sample, and a list of sample delivery points.

After having collected and delivered the stool sample, patients must then contact their GP to issue them with an acknowledgement that they have taken and delivered the test.

Once the sample has been delivered, the spokesperson said, it is analysed, with results sent to the patient both by post and uploaded to their personal Gesy account.

If further action is required, the GP will contact the patient.