A leading Canterbury doctor says bowel cancer rates are increasing among younger people

Residents of Timaru and surrounding areas will soon have access to free bowel screening, with the South Canterbury District Health Board set to join a national programme.

Canterbury Charity Hospital chair Phil Bagshaw welcomes the announcement and says it's particularly important given the cancer's rise among under 50s - especially among Maori and Pacific groups.

But he says rates have plateaued among older age groups.