To mark Bowel Cancer Awareness Month (April 2016), Henry Smith MP has given his support to a call from Bowel Cancer UK, urging more people to take part in bowel cancer screening and help save lives.
Henry said;
“I’m committed to improving uptake rates for bowel cancer screening, both locally and nationally.
“While the average bowel cancer screening takeup rate in England is 58 per cent, the takeup rate in Crawley is only 55 per cent. I’d urge people across our town who are sent a bowel screening test to use it. Taking part in bowel cancer screening is the best way to get diagnosed early.
“If you’re over 60, please take the test when you receive it in the post. If you’re younger, tell the people over 60 in your life to take the test. Early diagnosis really can save lives.”
Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK, affecting both men and women. Every year over 41,000 people (one every 15 minutes) are diagnosed with bowel cancer and 16,200 people die of the disease.
Bowel cancer screening can save lives but at the moment in some areas of the UK only a third of those who receive a test complete it. Thousands of people are missing out on the chance to detect bowel cancer early when it is easier to treat.
The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme can detect bowel cancer at an early stage in people with no symptoms when it is easier to treat. Since its launch ten years ago, it has been proven to save lives.
If you are registered with a GP and aged 60-74, you will receive a test in the post every two years. You carry out the simple test at home in private and it comes with step-by-step instructions.
Bowel Cancer UK advise that; “The test looks for hidden blood in your poo, which could be an early sign of bowel cancer.”
Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK, commented;
“I’d like to thank Henry Smith MP for supporting our campaign during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month to raise participation levels for bowel cancer screening.
“One in 14 men and one in 19 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime but it is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.”
Symptoms of bowel cancer listed by Bowel Cancer UK include:
- Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
- A change in bowel habit lasting three weeks or more
- Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
- Unexplained weight loss
- A pain or lump in your tummy
- Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer. Other health problems can cause similar symptoms. But if you have one or more of these, or if things just don’t feel right, go to see your GP.
Follow Henry daily via:
www.twitter.com/HenrySmithMP
www.facebook.com/HenrySmith4Crawley
www.youtube.com/HenrySmithMP