Published Friday, 03 February 2012
From April 2012 the age at which men and women are invited for screening will be extended from 60 to 69-years-old to 60 to 71-years-old.
Around 400 people in the region die from bowel cancer every year, it is the second most common cancer in NI.
However, when caught at an early stage, there is a 90% successful treatment rate. With the extension of the screening programme, it is hoped the number of deaths could be reduced by 15%.
Alister Smyth was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year, after he mailed off a test which he received in the post.
He said his healthy lifestyle meant the diagnosis was "totally unforeseen". Caught early, doctors told Mr Smyth that without the test, he could have developed "full blown cancer in two to three years".
"It's lifesaving," he told UTV.
If it hadn't been detected what would have followed could be chemotherapy, a bag, and interference with the lifestyle I was used to.
Alister Smyth, diagnosed with bowel cancer
The bowel cancer screening joins previously established programmes for breast and cervical cancer screening, and is the first to include men.
The success of the breast cancer screening programme is encouraging for Deirdre Conlon from the Ulster Cancer Foundation.
"It's a very effective tool. So many people here are diagnosed late and so many people don't know the symptoms."
Health Minister Edwin Poots said "It is important for people to encourage their loved ones to take this life saving test every two years when invited."
The Public Health Agency's Dr Janet Little explained more about the home test, which is aimed at those who do not have symptoms.
"Test kits will be sent out to the address which your GP has for you. It is therefore important that your GP has your most up to date address or you may miss the chance to take part in the screening programme.
The screening kit is used to detect traces of blood in the bowel motion, which if found can lead to further tests.
Most people who are tested will have no blood in their bowel motions and will be invited to repeat the screening test two years later.
Only 10 people in every 500 who complete the test kit will have traces of blood in their bowel motion and only one of these will have bowel cancer.