Page updated: 19 Aug 2010
Postal screens catch nine bowel cancers and 39 polyps in first five months
Nine Trafford residents who were unaware they had bowel cancer have started treatment after postal screening tests detected the disease.
A further 39 people discovered they had polyps – cysts on the lining of the bowel that can turn into cancer – and had them removed, reducing their chances of developing cancer later in life.
More than 2,500 60 to 69-year-olds in Trafford also completed and returned a bowel cancer testing kit received through the post between January and May, as part of a national screening programme.
Dr Lisa Davies, consultant in public health at NHS Trafford, said: “It is great news that so many people in Trafford have returned their screening kits. It means that it has picked up people with bowel cancer or a higher risk of developing it so they could start treatment straight away.
“Bowel cancer is the UK’s third biggest cancer. These kits mean they can test themselves in the comfort of their own home, send their samples off to a laboratory, and get their results in the post.”
More than 5,000 Trafford residents aged between 60 and 69 were invited to take part in the tests, and around 50 per cent did so. 2,568 returned their screening kits, of whom 1,393 were women and 1,175 were men.
Take up rates were slightly higher for women than for men, with 53.3 per cent of women and 47.4 per cent of men returning the kits.
“Men have a slightly higher chance of developing bowel cancer than women, so I would like to see more men take advantage of these screens,” added Lisa. “It’s important to remember that the earlier a bowel cancer is detected, the better the outcome will be.”
Bowel cancer often presents with the following symptoms:
- A persistent change in bowel habit, especially having diarrhea for several weeks.
- Bleeding from the back passage without an obvious reason.
- Abdominal pain.
- A lump in your abdomen.
- Nausea and unexplained weight loss.
People who experience any of these should see their GP as soon as possible.
The postal screening kits are currently sent through the post to everyone aged between 60 and 69, around the time of each odd-numbered birthday. Those aged 70 and over can request kits by telephoning 0800 707 6060.