Nine of out ten people will survive bowel cancer if it’s detected early
Shoppers heading to Cameron Toll in Edinburgh on Wednesday will be targeted with the important message that bowel cancer can often be cured – if detected early.
The Detect Cancer Early tour will visit the store in a bid to encourage more 50-74 year olds in the area to complete and return their bowel cancer home screening kit when it drops through their letterbox.
Staff will be on hand to speak about how the test works as well as giving tips on how to complete it and advice around how best to store the kit.
Recent statistics show 55.3% of people in Edinburgh have taken the opportunity to complete and return their kit.* Although bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland, it can often be cured when it’s found early. The early signs are often hidden so, the best way to find it is to do a home screening test. It’s quick and simple and can be completed in the privacy and comfort of your own bathroom.
The Detect Cancer Early bowel cancer screening campaign aims to encourage even more people to take up the services on offer and further increase the rate of bowel cancers detected at the earliest stages.
Linda Brownlee, Scottish Bowel Screening Service Manger, Scottish Bowel Screening Centre said: “If you are between 50 and 74 years old you’ll receive your home screening kit through your letterbox. You can take the test in the comfort and privacy of your own home, so there’s really nothing to be shy or embarrassed about.
“If you want to learn more about how to do the test or what it involves, I’d encourage you to visit one of the roadshow events or go to www.bowelscreeningtest.org where there’s a short video you can watch.
The thing to remember is – early signs are often hidden so the best way to detect bowel cancer early is to do the test. When you find bowel cancer early it can often be cured.”
Health Secretary Alex Neil added: “Completing and returning the test is the simplest way to get checked – giving yourself the best possible chance of survival.
“An important part of this is ensuring everyone who is eligible takes the time to complete their home test kit. Having done the test myself I know how simple it is to do and the results could make a difference to your life.
“My message is clear, bowel cancer can be cured if it’s caught early. Don’t get scared, take the test.”
If you have not completed a test in the past two years or need to request a replacement kit visit www.bowelscreeningtest.org or call the Scottish Bowel Screening Helpline on 0800 0121 833.
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