The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) began in 2006. It aims to reduce the morbidity and mortality from bowel cancer by actively recruiting and screening the eligible target population, aged 50–74, for early detection or prevention of the disease. This monitoring report is the fourth to examine the NBCSP using new key performance indicators.

In 2019, it is estimated that about 8,000 people aged 50–74 will be diagnosed with bowel cancer (approximately 49% of all bowel cancers diagnosed) and 2,000 people aged 50–74 will die from bowel cancer (approximately 35% of all bowel cancer deaths).