Charity Bowel Cancer UK Launches Bowel Cancer Screening Programme Report

Main Category: Colorectal Cancer
Also Included In: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology;  Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 16 Nov 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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National charity Bowel Cancer UK launches a comprehensive report into the progress of the NHS National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in England, which rolled out fifteen months ago. The report also sets out the charity's recommendations for the future of screening, to ensure that the Programme's positive impact on people's lives continues.

The report makes key observations that will inform the Programme's development, and serves as a call-to-action for the Government to ensure its long-term success. These include calling for:

- A focus on screening in the forthcoming Cancer Reform Strategy
- Expansion of the age range for screening in England to 50-74 years old, in line with Scotland and Wales
- Increased commitment to raising awareness of the Programme, to help maximise uptake and attendance at screening centres
- Effective targeting of hard-to-reach groups to ensure their participation - e.g. ethnic minority groups and those living in deprived areas
- Ensuring that a gender gap does not form in the take-up of the Programme
- An in-depth assessment of the 'screening to treatment' journey, to ensure the entire process is integrated, effective and convenient for patients

The focus of the report is on screening in England - the first of the programmes to go live in the UK. But it also compares approaches taken to screening in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in relation to age ranges and timings for its roll-out or planned roll-out in these countries.

It explores regional differences in screening uptake and delivery in England; makes recommendations on further improving its impact; examines the effect of screening on the wider health services; and assesses the services necessary to treat and support people who are diagnosed with bowel cancer, either through screening or other means.

Emma Mowat, Head of Service Delivery at Bowel Cancer UK, comments: "The Government and the NHS are both to be congratulated on the progress that has been made since screening went live, not only in co-ordinating a programme of this scale, but also for the lives saved through early detection. Screening really does save lives, and plays a crucial role in transforming public attitudes to bowel cancer.

"While we are delighted with the Prime Minister's announcement that the Programme is to be extended beyond 2009 and to those aged up to 75 from 2010, there is still much to do. We hope the Government will adopt our recommendations, and we will, in turn, continue to work alongside patients, healthcare professionals and policy-makers in order to maximise the success of the screening programme, not only in England, but in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as they roll out."

Bowel Cancer UK was instrumental in ensuring the Screening Programme went ahead as planned last year, after the charity heard its roll-out was in doubt due to NHS financial uncertainties. Since its inception in July 2006, the charity has been dedicated to raising awareness of the Programme and encouraging as many eligible people as possible to take part.

It is estimated that full national roll-out of the Programme in England will be achieved by December 2009 and all eligible men and women, aged 60-69 years old, will have been invited to participate in screening by December 2011, with those entering the programme being invited back after 2 years.

The public must ensure they are registered with their GP in order to receive an invitation when the Programme rolls out in their area. Anyone with concerns should not wait to be screened but visit their GP; and those aged over 70 can opt into the programme once it rolls out in their area.

George Henderson from Liverpool was identified as having cancerous polyps as a result of taking part in the screening programme. He says: "I think screening is very worthwhile. I was apprehensive about doing the samples, but it was all very straightforward. I sent them off and heard that I has three cancerous polyps - one large and two small - which were then removed, again all very straightforwardly. Overall it was a great success."

Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK affecting both men and women, but is highly treatable if caught early. The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is the first screening programme of its kind for both men and women and is designed to detect cancer early. It is estimated that the Programme will save up to 1,200 lives each year once it is fully rolled out.

About Bowel Cancer UK

Bowel Cancer UK is a leading charity dedicated to raising awareness of bowel cancer, improving the quality of life of those affected by the disease and, ultimately, reducing deaths from the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, affecting men and women equally.

http://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk

Notes:

Bowel Cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, affecting men and women equally. Every year over 35,000 people in this country are diagnosed with bowel cancer - that's someone every 15 minutes; nearly 16,000 people in this country die of the disease - that's a life every 30 minutes. Symptoms of bowel cancer may include a persistent change in bowel habit for up to six weeks; passing blood or mucus in/with your stools; unexplained pain and/or a lump in your abdomen. Most symptoms do not turn out to be bowel cancer.

Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBt)

Screening for bowel cancer by using Faecal Occult Blood tests (FOBt) has shown to reduce mortality rates by 16%. It is estimated that the Programme will save up to 1,200 lives each year once it is fully rolled out - which is expected to be by 2009.

The screening programme involves the FOBt kits being sent in the post to eligible people. Each kit will be accompanied by an information leaflet with step-by-step instructions; advice on the benefits of screening in the early diagnosis of bowel cancer; and links to organisations that can provide further information, help and support, including Bowel Cancer UK.

The FOBt is designed to identify hidden blood in stools, which can indicate the presence of bowel cancer. It involves smearing stool samples onto a special card and sending the card off to a laboratory for testing. Three separate bowel motions will be tested with each kit.

Persistent rectal bleeding is one of the main symptoms of bowel cancer. However, it is important to note that if a FOBt requires further investigation, it is not necessarily an indication of bowel cancer. The patient will either be asked to do a repeat test or be asked to see a screening nurse at the clinic to assess their suitability for a colonoscopy. Blood in stools can be caused by many non-life-threatening conditions, such as haemorrhoids.

http://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk

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