FRIDAY, 31 MARCH, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. PHOTO ATTACHED OF THE BOWEL SCREENING KIT

Get tested during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

NHS Tayside is joining the campaign this April to raise awareness of bowel cancer screening to improve early diagnosis of the disease.  Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer but is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.

If you’re aged between 50 and 74 and registered with a GP, you receive a free NHS bowel cancer screening test in the post every two years. Bowel cancer screening kits can be completed in the privacy of your own home. The process is painless and very simple. It involves collecting three samples of your stools over a period of 10 days then posting the kit back to the NHS in a prepaid envelope.

Professor Robert Steele, specialist in colorectal cancer surgery and screening for NHS Tayside said, “Screening can detect bowel cancer early before any symptoms appear, when it is easier to treat. It may also pick up non-cancerous growths or polyps, which could become cancerous in the future.

“In Tayside, only 60% of those who receive a test in the post complete it, meaning that many people are missing out on the best way to detect bowel cancer early. Nearly everyone diagnosed at the earliest stage will survive bowel cancer. Taking part in bowel cancer screening is the best way to get diagnosed early.”

Speaking about the importance of completing the test, bowel cancer survivor Glenys Mara from Dundee said, “My bowel cancer was discovered by routine bowel screening. I felt really blessed that I live in this area, close to Ninewells where I received excellent treatment throughout.

“My treatment throughout was highly professional.  I was astounded at how closely all the different departments worked together. I was given excellent care at every stage and a great many of my fears were quite groundless in the event.”

Bowel cancer is more common in those over 50, but can affect people of any age. The symptoms of bowel cancer include bleeding from the bottom and/or blood in your poo, a change in bowel habit lasting three weeks or more, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness for no obvious reason and a pain or lump in your tummy.

You can ask for a bowel cancer screening test by calling the free bowel screening centre helpline on 0800 0121 833. For more information, visit www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk

Contact:

Gaynyr Dickson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424716