FOUR-in-10 people living in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and the Thames Valley ignore bowel cancer screening tests – putting their lives at risk.

On average, only 60 per cent are taking advantage of a free bowel cancer screening test that has the potential to save lives.

Bowel Cancer UK, the country’s leading bowel cancer charity, is encouraging people living in the region to take part in the screening programme.

The NHS bowel cancer screening programme can detect bowel cancer at an early stage in people with no symptoms when it is easier to treat and there is a greater chance of survival.

Anyone registered with a GP and aged 60 to 74 will receive a test in the post every two years. The simple test can be carried out at home in private and it comes with step-by-step instructions.

The test looks for hidden blood in faeces, which could be an early sign of bowel cancer.

Almost 42,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year in the UK and more than 16,000 people die from the disease. It’s the nation’s second biggest cancer killer. But it shouldn’t be because it is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early, according to a charity spokesman.