MAKE a New Year’s resolution to do the test for bowel cancer if you’re sent one – that’s the message from a top local surgeon.
Thousands of testing kits are sent out to people aged 60 to 74 each year in a drive to detect signs of the disease early and the NHS is gradually extending the service to those over 50 to help save even more lives.
Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer yet it is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.
The use of faecal immunochemical test (FIT) in bowel cancer screening in the UK has indicated improved participation.
According to Cancer Research UK the local uptake of people doing the test after receiving it is 62.5 per cent.
“The increased uptake is great news,” said consultant colorectal surgeon Mr Haney Youssef.
“However I still urge more people to take the test when you receive it.
“Screening can detect bowel cancer before any symptoms appear which means it is much easier to treat and success rates are very high.”
Mr Youssef, who practices at Spire Parkway Hospital in Solihull, also urged people of all ages to be on the lookout for symptoms so they could act quickly if they spotted anything out of the ordinary.
“A change in your bowel habit that lasts for three weeks or more and blood in your poo are warning signs that need acting upon as soon as possible,” he said.
“Other signs include unexplained weight loss, feeling tired without reason, stomach pains or a lump in the stomach.
“Your first stop is your GP who, after an initial examination, will send patients with bowel symptoms to be assessed in clinic.”
In many cases there is no clear cut reason why some people develop bowel cancer, but the risk can be reduced by making some simple lifestyle changes:
Stop smoking: Long-term smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop bowel cancer.
Watch your weight: After not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight is the most important thing you can do for cancer prevention.
Cut down on alcohol: Bowel cancer has been linked to a heavy intake of alcohol.
Exercise regularly: Besides using up extra calories and helping you avoid gaining weight, being physically active also helps food to move through your digestive system more quickly.
Eat healthily: Make sure you eat plenty of dietary fibre from whole grains, seeds, fruit and vegetables. Also drink plenty of water.
The most recent figures show bowel cancer claims the lives of around 16,000 people in the UK every year.
For further bowel screening information, speak to your GP or visit https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/screening/
