RPSGB Partners National Charity For Campaign On Bowel Cancer

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 13 Apr 2010 - 0:00 PST

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Bowel cancer is the UK's second biggest cancer killer. A new campaign from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and national charity Beating Bowel Cancer aims to save lives by using pharmacists to help spot the early symptoms of the disease in patients.

Over 90% of cases of bowel cancer could be successfully treated if diagnosed early, yet almost half of the 100 people diagnosed every day in the UK will die from the disease.

The 2008 Pharmacy White Paper highlighted the role pharmacists can play in detecting cancer and referring patients for early diagnosis to improve cancer outcomes.

Behind Closed Doors is a new campaign that aims to raise awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer amongst pharmacists and their patients.

Research1 shows that one in two people are not aware of the key symptoms of bowel cancer and three-quarters don't know that bowel cancer is one of the top two causes of cancer deaths.

Campaign packs containing practice guidance on bowel cancer and bowel cancer screening, till prompts for counter staff, posters and patient information leaflets will be sent to all 11,500 community pharmacies in England and Wales during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in April.

Neal Patel, Head of Corporate Communications at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society said: "We aren't making the most of the expertise of pharmacists, who could contribute significantly to raising awareness and increasing early detection of cancer.

"The symptoms of bowel cancer need to be at the forefront of pharmacists' minds whenever they talk to patients experiencing problems with their bowels. The Behind Closed Doors materials offer guidance to pharmacists and pharmacy staff so they can approach the subject of bowel cancer with greater knowledge and confidence."

Hilary Whittaker, Chief Executive of Beating Bowel Cancer said: "Early diagnosis is essential to save lives from bowel cancer and pharmacies are an ideal place for people to receive information about the disease.

"People visit pharmacies to buy medicines or seek advice for common conditions like piles or irritable bowel syndrome - so pharmacists are well placed to have open conversations with their customers and encourage them not to hide their symptoms behind closed doors."

Notes

Behind Closed Doors

The national rollout of the Behind Closed Doors campaign follows on two smaller pilots within 20 Primary Care Trusts in England. The most recent pilot launched in January 2009 was very well- received by pharmacists: the evaluation survey showed that, as a result of the campaign information provided, 96% of respondents said that they felt in a better position to advise customers and direct them to their GP if concerned and 22% said that they suggested customers see their GP because of their bowel symptoms. Every year in the UK 37,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer* Key symptoms to look out for are:

- A persistent change in bowel habit
- Bleeding from the bottom
- Severe abdominal pain
- A lump in the stomach
- Unexplained tiredness or weight loss

Most of these symptoms will not be cancer but anyone experiencing one or more of these symptoms for more than 4-6 weeks should seek advice.

*Cancer Research UK. CancerStats key facts about bowel cancer. Accessed January 2010.

Behind Closed Doors is supported by a grant from Icap, the world's premier interdealer broker.

About Beating Bowel Cancer

Beating Bowel Cancer is a UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of bowel cancer, promoting early diagnosis and encouraging open access to treatment choice for those affected by bowel cancer.

We provide support services for patients and their families, deliver awareness and education campaigns aimed at the general public and healthcare professionals, and lobby Government for improved outcomes for bowel cancer patients. For more information please visit http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org.

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. Beating Bowel Cancer will be campaigning throughout the month to raise awareness of bowel cancer and save lives from this killer disease. For information on how to get involved with Bowel Cancer Awareness Month visit http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org.

1 TNS Omnibus Research conducted amongst 1643 people aged 30+ across the UK from 4-8 November 2009.

Source
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

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