THOSE most at risk of bowel cancer are being sent a simple screening kit in an effort to help save lives.
Warrington Borough Council’s public health team is urging men and women aged 60-74 years to make sure they get screened for bowel cancer by encouraging them to use the kit when they receive it.
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in the UK, around one in 20 people will develop bowel cancer during their lifetime.
The NHS bowel screening programme aims to detect bowel cancer at an early stage in people with no symptoms, when treatment is more likely to be effective.
If you are aged between 60 – 74 years, a bowel screening kit is posted to your home. The kit is a simple way to collect small samples of poo which are then sent to be screened for traces of blood.
Cllr. Maureen McLaughlin, executive board member for public health and wellbeing, said: “If you receive a bowel screening kit, it’s really important to complete it and send it back. Many people feel embarrassed about undertaking the bowel screening test but it is easy, painless and quick and it could save your life.
“Understanding the symptoms of bowel cancer is also really important. If you are experiencing symptoms including bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo, a change in bowel habit lasting for three weeks or more, unexplained weight loss or a pain or lump in your stomach, or changes that are just not normal for you, go and see your doctor to make sure everything is okay.”
If bowel cancer is diagnosed in its earliest stages, the chance of surviving a further five years is over 90%. Furthermore, around 98% of people will receive a normal result and will only be invited for bowel cancer screening every two years.
Ian Buchanan, 63, from Hartford near Northwich, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 1992. He said: “The earlier the cancer is caught, the better! The bowel screening process is designed to catch the cancer before any symptoms are showing. So if you’re of screening age and your screening kit arrives in the post, please don’t ignore it – it could save your life.”
For further information about bowel screening, or to request a screening kit if you are aged over 74, call 0800 707 6060 or visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bowel-cancer-screening-programme-overview
For more information about the bowel screening campaign visit www.cruk.org.uk/bowelscreening
