Page updated: 25 May 2010
NHS Trafford celebrates impressive bowel cancer screening rates
More people in Trafford than anywhere else in Greater Manchester are choosing to be screened for bowel cancer, based on figures between January and April.
The figures relate to people aged 70 and over who are opting in to the postal bowel cancer screening programme. They are so high that Trafford has the second best rate in the country during this period – beaten by Kent, and only then by six screens!
In all, 406 Trafford residents requested a bowel cancer screening test between the beginning of January and 9 April this year. In total, 1,270 people in the city requested the kits. This is in addition to every 60 to 69-year-old, who are screened every two years.
"This is great news for Trafford," said Dr Lisa Davies, NHS Trafford's consultant in public health. "We are thrilled that so many people are opting to have bowel cancer screening.
"The more people that have the screens, the more cancers we can find in their early stages, and ultimately, the more lives we can save. This screening programme is a major tool in helping us stop the UK's third most common cancer in its tracks," she added.
The screening kits are postal tests that people can complete at home. Samples are then posted back to a laboratory where they are screened for tiny specks of blood – one of the first signs of bowel cancer.
Often these specks of blood indicate polyps, which are benign lumps in the bowel. Polyps can become cancers if they aren’t removed, so the more of these we catch, the more cancers we avoid.
"Everyone aged 60 to 69 receives an invitation and the kit in the post every other year, and they really should take the chance to use them," said Lisa. "If you’re over 69, you can request one by calling 0800 707 6060."
While the tests don’t diagnose bowel cancer, they do let people know if they need to go for further examinations. Most people will get a normal result and be offered another test in two years' time. Four out of 100 will have an unclear result, and will be asked to take the test again. Two people out of 100 will have an abnormal result and they will be referred for further investigations.
It is important that people go and see their GP if they have any of the following symptoms:
- A persistent change in bowel habit of several weeks.
- Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your stools.
- Losing weight.
- Pain in your abdomen or back passage.
Ways to reduce the risk of bowel cancer include:
- Doing at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week.
- Maintaining a healthy body weight.
- Increasing your fibre intake by eating wholegrain.
- Eating smaller and fewer portions of processed or red meat.
- Eating more fish, particularly if it has been baked or poached.
- Making sure you get your five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
- Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink.
- Stopping smoking – smoking is a major cause of at least 12 types of cancer, including bowel cancer.