Good news on cancer screening

A BOWEL cancer screening programme has tested more than 100,000 across Greater Manchester.

The project was launched in February, 2007, offering early testing of symptoms to the over-60s.

The uptake for Oldham is 48.7 per cent compared with the average of 48.9 per cent for Greater Manchester as a whole.

Residents will be automatically invited every two years until they reach 70. Then they will need to opt into the programme by calling freephone 0800-707 6060.

Alan Higgins, director of public health for Oldham, said: “It’s very good news that since 2007, the Greater Manchester screening programme has identified more than 200 cancers and over 1,200 people with polyps.

“Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer.

“It mostly affects the over-60s. Those at most risk are people with a family history of the disease.

“If cancers are picked up early they are much easier to treat.

“Anyone who experiences a change in bowel habits, or notices blood in their faeces should go to see their doctor without delay.”

Bowel cancer screening involves a home testing kit which is posted to everyone aged between 60 and 69, so they can discreetly and hygienically return a small sample of faeces.

The sample is then tested for blood, which could be an early warning sign.

If blood is present further tests are needed to rule out other problems such as piles.

The test does not diagnose bowel cancer but shows whether further investigations are needed and 98 out of 100 tests return a normal result.

Bowel cancer screening not only picks up cancers at an earlier stage but also pre-cancerous changes, such as polyps.

The symptoms of bowel cancer include bleeding from the bottom without any obvious reason, a persistent change in bowel habit to looser or more frequent bowel motions, tummy pain, which can be severe, a lump in the tummy or bottom, unexplained weight loss or fatigue.

Anyone with these symptoms should make an appointment to see a GP.

Bowel cancer affects both men and women and those with a family history of the disease are most at risk.

Nearly 600 people die in Greater Manchester every year from bowel cancer.

For more information about the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, call freephone 0800-707 6060, contact the Greater Manchester Screening Programme on 01204-462 178 or visit the website ae www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk.