BOWEL cancer screening is to be made available to people aged 70-74 in Warrington during the current year – and health bosses have joined forces with rugby players to raise awareness of the campaign.
NHS Warrington, the town’s hospital and Warrington Wolves and the Wolves Foundation helped promote Bowel Cancer Awareness Month as part of their “Tackling Health” campaign.
Screening is already available to people aged 60-69 in Warrington but the programme is now being rolled out to include those aged 70-74.
Dr Rita Robertson, NHS Warrington’s director of Public Health and Health Strategy said: “The NHS bowel cancer screening programme offers screening every two years and aims to detect bowel cancer at an early stage in people with no symptoms, when treatment is more likely to be effective.”
Wolves used the home game with Catalan Dragons to raise awareness of the bowel cancer screening programme.
Fans were offered advice about how to spot the signs of bowel cancer and people aged 60-69 were encouraged to get screened.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths.
Specialist Colorectal nurses from Warrington Hospital were at the match providing useful information on bowel cancer for fans, plus free giveaways.
Fusion Elite, The Wolves Foundation Community Dance Team provided entertainment at the game, wearing Bowel Cancer Awareness t-shirts to show their support.
A mobile cancer information and support vehicle was parked at the ground, with nurses giving advice and information.
Julie Hewitt, Colorectal Nurse Specialist said: “Bowel cancer can affect anyone at any age therefore it is important that we ensure that people are aware of the signs and symptoms. Anyone can request a screening kit and our aim at the Warrington Wolves game was to raise awareness of screening by giving out leaflets and being a point of contact for help and advice.”
Wolves skipper Adrian Morley is lending his support to the campaign.
He said: “It’s really important for people to be aware of the symptoms like a change in bowel habit or a sudden weight loss.
“If anyone has any concerns they should contact their GP.”
More information about bowel cancer screening is available from the helpline 0800 707 60 60 or the website www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk
BOWEL cancer screening is to be made available to people aged 70-74 in
Warrington during the current year - and health bosses have joined
forces with rugby players to raise awareness of the campaign.
Cancer screening for older people
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Former Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Patron Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
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So if it can affect “ANYONE AT ANY AGE” why waste the funding on those who lets face it “have already had a good innings”, I have never found myself being ageist before but if I got to 74 years of age I kind of expect NOT to be at my peak and unsupprised to find I have some form of terminal illness or other. I’m not begruging these people (whome I do respect) but I do not repect this decision.