Our screening packs could save your life
NEARLY half of residents living in Halton ignore a free bowel cancer screening test sent in the post according to a charity dedicated to fighting the condition.
Bowel Cancer UK said Public Health England data showed 51.86% of those who received the packs in Halton completed the assessment.
This was lower than the North West average of 53% and way behind the regional leader NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG on 61.18%.
A spokeswoman for the charity said the screening programme can detect bowel cancer at an early stage before symptoms have developed and when it is easier to treat giving and a greater chance of survival.
The organisation is now urging residents to have the test during April, which is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.
Anyone registered with a general prac- titioner and aged 60-74 should receive a test in the post every two years.
It is carried out at home and comes with step-by-step instructions.
The test looks for hidden blood in faeces, which could be an early sign.
In 2018, England will replace the current screening test with a simpler and more accurate test – the faecal immunochemical test (FIT).
The charity said FIT is a more sensitive test, and has the potential to detect more cancers and pre-cancerous polyps as well as increasing screening participation.
Deborah Alsina MBE, Bowel Cancer UK chief executive, said: “It’s quite simple, bowel cancer screening saves lives.
“It’s predicted that even using the current test, the screening programme will save over 2,000 lives each year by 2025. “I would encourage everyone who’s over 60 to take the test, and for those who are younger to encourage their loved ones over 60 to complete it.
“It could save yours or your loved ones life.” feedback on the decision, with their patients saying they did not have any problems accessing GF foods since the ending of prescriptions.
The decision in Norfolk was also well received by GPs, and by members of the public, who were often surprised to hear that GF food had ever been available on NHS prescription. Differing approaches to prescribing GF foods has created variation across CCGs.
The consultation closes on Thursday, June 22.
For more information search for ‘consultations’ on www.gov.uk ●