A brief one-off check for tumours and polyps in the colon could reduce deaths from bowel cancer by 40%, a UK trial predicts.

The trial found that an endoscopic investigation in people aged 55-64 each decade could save 3,000 lives each year.

"This is one of the most important developments in cancer research for years," commented Harpal Kumar, CEO of Cancer Research UK.

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, killing 16,000 people per year. It usually develops from painless growths or polyps. The early detection and removal of polyps greatly increases the chance of survival.

The 16-year trial, reported in The Lancet, was led by Professor Wendy Atkin from Imperial College London and part funded by Cancer Research UK.

Atkin and colleagues used a Flexi-Scope device: a flexible endoscope with a small camera and light at the end, used to search for polyps in the sigmoid colon. Any polyps found can be removed at the same time.

Over 170,000 people aged 55-64 participated in the trial, with 40,674 undergoing screening with the Flexi-Scope.

The researchers found that a one-off check reduced the chances of developing bowel cancer by one third. The rate of death among those screened was 43% lower.

In the UK, this means, one-off tests for bowel cancer in this age group could prevent 5,000 cases of bowel cancer and save 3,000 lives per year.

Cancer Research UK has suggested that the Flexi-Scope test be added to the UK's bowel screening programme. At present, the Flexi-Scope is only available for people with symptoms or a clinical referral.