Charity seeks to raise bowel cancer awareness

We’re becoming increasingly used to checking ourselves for potential health risks; whether it is inspecting slightly unusual or inflamed looking moles for signs of skin cancer, or checking ourselves for lumps that could be breast or testicular cancer.

With this increase in public awareness comes a welcome increase in survival rates as cancers are diagnosed earlier when they are more treatable.

And this week, as part of their annual campaigning week, national charity Beating Bowel Cancer is looking to raise awareness that bowel cancer – which is Britain’s second biggest cancer killer – can be treated successfully if caught early.

Hilary Whittaker, Chief Executive of Beating Bowel Cancer says: “It’s widely recognised that screening and early diagnosis can dramatically reduce the number of deaths from bowel cancer. The screening programme has the potential to do this as long as those who are eligible take part.

“That’s why this year’s Be Loud Be Clear is putting the spotlight on screening. Please get involved and support us by being loud about bowel cancer.”

Bowel cancer is diagnosed in 37,500 people a year and kills 16,000 each year, which is almost a 50% death rate, and yet it is known that in over 90% of cases, these deaths could be avoided if the cancer had been caught early.

At present the NHS bowel cancer screening programme which was started in 2006 is available to everyone aged 60-69 in England & Wales and for those aged 50-74 in Scotland. Screening involves a simple test that you can complete at home, but currently only 55% of people are taking part, meaning the death rate for bowel cancer remains unnecessarily high.

This week’s Be Loud Be Clear campaign encourages the public to shun embarrassment, make a noise about bowel cancer and to talk openly about bottoms and bowels.

Beating Bowel Cancer’s Patron, former England rugby international Matt Dawson MBE, says: “It’s very British to shy away from talking about issues relating to bottoms and bowels yet bowel cancer affects 1 in 18 of us. My grandfather died from bowel cancer and my mother is now fighting the disease so I know only too well how important it is to be loud about bowel cancer.”

Everyone can get involved in Be Loud! Week, by wearing something loud, or doing something loud, and getting sponsored to do so.  Funds raised will help Beating Bowel Cancer to increase awareness of bowel cancer and provide support to patients and their families.

For more information visit beatingbowelcancer.org.