ONLY 46 per cent of elderly people in Redbridge and Waltham Forest are doing their recommended bowel cancer checks.

Every two years all 60-74-year-olds in England are sent free bowel cancer testing kits by post.

But statistics from Public Health England reveal only 46.53 per cent of those eligible in Redbridge and 46.79 per cent in Waltham Forest are using the free screening service.

Newham was the worst borough at taking advantage of the free testing kits, with only a 37 per cent uptake, while Bromley in south London scored highest with 55.8 per cent.

Bowel Cancer UK is calling on more people to make the most of the free tests ahead of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in April, as it remains the country’s “second biggest killer” with 1,300 people dying of the disease every month.

The charity’s chief executive Deborah Alsina MBE said: “It’s quite simple, bowel cancer screening saves lives.

“It’s predicted that using the current test, the screening programme will save over 2,000 lives each year by 2025.

“I would encourage everyone who’s over 60 to take the test, and for those who are younger to encourage their loved ones over 60 to complete it - It could save yours or your loved ones life.”

For more information about Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, see the website.