Take the Test for bowel cancer

LOCALS URGED TO ‘TAKE THE TEST’ AS BOWEL CANCER ROADSHOW HITS EDINBURGH

As Bowel Cancer Awareness Month gets underway, the Take the Test Roadshow aimed at raising awareness of bowel cancer screening and highlighting benefits of completing the test to people in Edinburgh will visit the The Gyle Shopping Centre on Thursday 10 April and Cameron Toll on Friday 11 April.

The tour will roll into locations across Scotland as part of the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early campaign to encourage people between the ages of 50 and 74 to participate in the Scottish Bowel Screening programme.

Although bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland, with almost 4,000 people diagnosed with the diseas every year in Scotland, just over half (54.5 per cent) of those who are eligible to participate in the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme every two years, actually do the test.

Currently, take-up of bowel screening in Lothian is 52.4%, so more people need to understand the benefits of participation in the programme.

The campaign’s TV advert featuring the ‘hidden’ voice of Still Game star Ford Kiernan is back for a further run to highlight the campaign message – ‘Bowel Cancer. Don’t Take A Chance. Take The Test’. It will highlight the fact that although often not visible, the early signs of bowel cancer, can be picked up by the test.

The Detect Cancer Early tour will offer help and advice to people in Edinburgh on how to take the test and staff will be available to answer any questions around the disease.

Dr Dermot Gorman, Consultant in Public Health, NHS Lothian, said: “Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland yet when detected at an early stage, it’s highly treatable – nine out of ten people survive if it’s caught early.

“As the signs of bowel cancer can be unnoticeable the screening programme is the best way to detect blood in the bowel, which can be a sign of bowel cancer.  We would urge all local people between 50 to 74 years old to find out more about the benefits of taking the bowel screening test.

“It’s important to break down some of the taboos around the private nature of bowel cancer and we welcome the Detect Cancer Early Roadshow to Lothian which will help to raise awareness of this important public health issue amongst local people.”

While the Screening Programme remains the best way to detect bowel cancer you should never ignore changes to your health.  Local people are advised to make an appointment with their GP if they spot any unusual or persistent changes to their bowel movements, even in between screenings. People over the age of 74 can still participate in the programme as well by referring themselves to the Scottish Bowel Screening Centre on 0800 0121 833.

For information on the screening programme, contact the Scottish Bowel Screening Helpline on 0800 0121 833 or visit www.bowelscreeningtest.org