Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

After Olympian Ciara Mageean’s Death At 34, Irish Health Authorities Are Being Urged To Lower Screening Age For Bowel Cancer

After Olympian Ciara Mageean’s Death At 34, Bowel Cancer Ireland Urges Screening Age To Be Lowered

<sub></sub>The death of Irish Olympic runner and European champion <span>Ciara Mageean</span> at the age of 34 has sparked concerns about bowel cancer among young people. In fact, <span>Bowel Cancer Ireland</span> has urged the national bowel cancer screening age to be lowered for early detection and prevention. 

Mageean died on November 1, 2026 after being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in July 2025. The athlete had collaborated with Bowel Cancer <span>Ireland</span> after her diagnosis to spread awareness about the disease.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Bowel Cancer Risk</span> In Young People </h2>

Around one in 10 bowel cancer diagnoses in Ireland occur in people under the age of 50. However, the country's national BowelScreen programme currently offers screening to people aged 57 to 71.

Brendan Donlon, chair of Bowel Cancer Ireland, told <em>RTÉ's Morning Ireland</em> that the screening age needs to be lowered and that the country must implement more policies to improve early detection.

"The death of Ms Mageean is a strong reminder that you can never be too fit or too young to be affected by bowel cancer," he said.

Donlon also spoke about the difference in screening ages in Ireland and other countries. He said the screening age was 45 in Australia, 50 in the UK and 45 in the US, compared with 57 in Ireland.

Although Ireland's Minister for Health has approved a recommendation to extend screening to people aged 50 to 54, Donlon said there was no clear timeline, budget or sufficient testing capacity to implement the change.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/olympian-ciara-mageean-dies-at-34-after-bowel-cancer-battle-warning-signs-in-young-adults-article-156449311" data-type="tilCustomLink">Olympian Ciara Mageean Dies At 34 After Bowel Cancer Battle: Warning Signs In Young Adults</a>

<h2>Ireland Being Urged To Lower Its Bowel Cancer Screening Age</h2>

Bowel Cancer Ireland has been campaigning for earlier screening as cases among younger adults become an increasing concern. BowelScreen provides a free, at-home bowel screening test every two years to eligible people aged 57 to 71. The test is designed to detect signs of bowel cancer before symptoms develop.

In April 2026, Ireland's Minister for Health approved a recommendation to extend screening for people aged 50 to 54. However, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said that the expansion depends on completing the current programme expansion and increasing healthcare capacity. The proposed timeline assumes implementation from 2031.

The expansion is expected to make more than 400,000 additional people eligible for screening and could require more than 2,700 additional colonoscopies each year.

Donlon said the availability of colonoscopy services was already a concern, pointing to 6,700 people who were waiting for urgent colonoscopy in the previous year. He also said that bowel cancer screening is essential as it can identify precancerous growths that can be removed before they develop into cancer.

He said, "It (bowel cancer) is a very survivable cancer. It's one of the most treatable cancers if caught early and unfortunately one of the most lethal when caught late. That's why we have to focus our attention on raising awareness of symptoms, but also getting the Government to focus on lowering the screening age."

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/ibs-is-not-just-a-gut-problem-lancet-review-explains-the-gut-brain-connection-article-156449476" data-type="tilCustomLink">IBS Is Not Just A Gut Problem: Lancet Review Explains The Gut-Brain Connection</a>

<h2><span rel="noindex">Bowel Cancer Symptoms</span> In Younger Adults May Be Overlooked</h2>

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Bowel Cancer Ireland has urged people to recognise warning signs and seek medical advice rather than dismissing certain symptoms. According to Donlon, symptoms that should be assessed include:

<ul><li>Blood in the stool, which may appear red or make stools look black</li><li>Constant changes in bowel habits, including changes in stool consistency, size, shape or frequency</li><li>Weight loss due to no reason</li><li>Constant abdominal pain or bloating</li><li>Tiredness that does not go away with rest or sleep</li></ul>

He advised people to seek medical attention if changes in bowel habits continue for three weeks.

He also raised concerns that symptoms in younger women may sometimes be attributed to premenstrual syndrome (<span>PMS</span>) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which could delay further investigation.

"Unfortunately, most of the women in our group went to their GPs and particularly if they're under 50, they're told, you're fine, it's IBS, it's PMS, go away and come back," he told <em>RTÉ</em>.

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, develops in the colon or rectum. It can often be treated successfully when detected at an early stage, but treatment becomes more difficult when the disease has spread to other parts of the body.

Screening is meant for people who do not have symptoms. Anyone experiencing possible warning signs should contact a healthcare professional rather than waiting until they become eligible for routine screening.

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The death of Irish Olympic runner and European champion Ciara Mageean at the age of 34 has sparked concerns about bowel cancer among young people. In fact, Bowel Cancer Ireland has urged the national bowel cancer screening age to be lowered for early detection and prevention. Mageean died on November 1, 2026 after being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in July 2025. The athlete had collaborated with Bowel Cancer Ireland after her diagnosis to spread awareness about the disease.Bowel Cancer Risk In Young People Around one in 10 bowel cancer diagnoses in Ireland occur in people under the age of 50. However, the country's national BowelScreen programme currently offers screening to people aged 57 to 71.Brendan Donlon, chair of Bowel Cancer Ireland, told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that the screening age needs to be lowered and that the country must implement more policies to improve early detection."The death of Ms Mageean is a strong reminder that you can never be too fit or too young to be affected by bowel cancer," he said.Donlon also spoke about the difference in screening ages in Ireland and other countries. He said the screening age was 45 in Australia, 50 in the UK and 45 in the US, compared with 57 in Ireland.Although Ireland's Minister for Health has approved a recommendation to extend screening to people aged 50 to 54, Donlon said there was no clear timeline, budget or sufficient testing capacity to implement the change.Also read: Olympian Ciara Mageean Dies At 34 After Bowel Cancer Battle: Warning Signs In Young AdultsIreland Being Urged To Lower Its Bowel Cancer Screening AgeBowel Cancer Ireland has been campaigning for earlier screening as cases among younger adults become an increasing concern. BowelScreen provides a free, at-home bowel screening test every two years to eligible people aged 57 to 71. The test is designed to detect signs of bowel cancer before symptoms develop.In April 2026, Ireland's Minister for Health approved a recommendation to extend screening for people aged 50 to 54. However, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said that the expansion depends on completing the current programme expansion and increasing healthcare capacity. The proposed timeline assumes implementation from 2031.The expansion is expected to make more than 400,000 additional people eligible for screening and could require more than 2,700 additional colonoscopies each year.Donlon said the availability of colonoscopy services was already a concern, pointing to 6,700 people who were waiting for urgent colonoscopy in the previous year. He also said that bowel cancer screening is essential as it can identify precancerous growths that can be removed before they develop into cancer.He said, "It (bowel cancer) is a very survivable cancer. It's one of the most treatable cancers if caught early and unfortunately one of the most lethal when caught late. That's why we have to focus our attention on raising awareness of symptoms, but also getting the Government to focus on lowering the screening age."Also read: IBS Is Not Just A Gut Problem: Lancet Review Explains The Gut-Brain ConnectionBowel Cancer Symptoms In Younger Adults May Be Overlooked      Bowel Cancer Ireland has urged people to recognise warning signs and seek medical advice rather than dismissing certain symptoms. According to Donlon, symptoms that should be assessed include:Blood in the stool, which may appear red or make stools look blackConstant changes in bowel habits, including changes in stool consistency, size, shape or frequencyWeight loss due to no reasonConstant abdominal pain or bloatingTiredness that does not go away with rest or sleepHe advised people to seek medical attention if changes in bowel habits continue for three weeks.He also raised concerns that symptoms in younger women may sometimes be attributed to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which could delay further investigation."Unfortunately, most of the women in our group went to their GPs and particularly if they're under 50, they're told, you're fine, it's IBS, it's PMS, go away and come back," he told RTÉ.Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, develops in the colon or rectum. It can often be treated successfully when detected at an early stage, but treatment becomes more difficult when the disease has spread to other parts of the body.Screening is meant for people who do not have symptoms. Anyone experiencing possible warning signs should contact a healthcare professional rather than waiting until they become eligible for routine screening.