Calling all 50-74 year olds to take the Bowel Screening Test

Calling all 50-74 year olds to take the Bowel Screening Test

NHS Western Isles is urging all those who receive a Bowel Screening Kit in the post to complete the test and help protect themselves against one of the biggest cancer killers.

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and the Programme is reminding every 50 – 74 year old in Scotland they can help to save their life by using a free screening test which will be delivered through their door over the next two years.

Professor Robert Steele, Director of the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme, stressed that the third most common cancer in Scotland must not be ignored.

95% of all cases of bowel cancer occur in those over 50, and the screening programme offers a real opportunity to identify and treat those at risk.

Professor Steele said: “Here in Scotland, every year the equivalent of four people a day die from bowel cancer. This screening programme is very simple, but very effective. It saves lives by detecting problems early and spotting symptoms that people may not know they have.

“Lots of information is provided with the kit when it arrives through the letterbox and the programme also has a great deal of information which people can access whenever it is convenient for them at www.bowelscreening.scot.nhs.uk. This includes a short film which explains more about the test and how to complete this.

“If you receive the test, please take it. It could just save your life.”

NHS Western Isles Bowel Screening Manager Anne Hutchison said: “Bowel cancer is more common in people over 50 years of age, especially in men. The screening test looks for hidden blood in the bowel motion, as this may suggest a higher chance of bowel cancer. If bowel cancer is detected early enough through screening, there is a 90 per cent chance of treating the disease successfully. Bowel screening can reduce deaths from bowel cancer by 15 per cent.”

She added: “At present in the Western Isles only 58 per cent of people who are offered the test complete it. We would urge people who receive the kit to complete the test; doing the test can feel embarrassing but it’s done by you in the privacy if your own home and it can save your life.”