The Labour MP pledges to help the UK based charity to raise awareness of screening in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in April
Gerald Jones, MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney is supporting Bowel Cancer UK’s campaign to urge more people to take part in bowel cancer screening and save lives, as part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in April.
More than 900 people die from bowel cancer in Wales every year, it’s the country’s second biggest cancer killer. However, it shouldn’t be. It’s treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.
Bowel cancer screening can save lives but at the moment in some areas of Wales only a half of those who receive a test complete it. Thousands of people are missing out on the chance to detect bowel cancer early when it is easier to treat.
Gerald said;
“As the local MP, I am totally committed to improving uptake rates for bowel cancer screening, both locally and nationally. I would urge my constituents who are sent a bowel screening test to use it. Taking part in bowel cancer screening is the best way to get diagnosed early.
If you are over 60, take the test when you receive it in the post. If you are younger, tell the people over 60 in your life to take the test. Early diagnosis really can save lives.”
Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said, “I’d like to thank Gerald for supporting our campaign during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month to raise participation levels for bowel cancer screening. In Wales, one in 13 men and one in 18 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime but it is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.”
The Bowel Screening Wales Programme can detect bowel cancer at an early stage in people with no symptoms when it is easier to treat. If you’re registered with a GP and aged 60-74, you will receive a test in the post every two years. You carry out the simple test at home in private and it comes with step by step instructions. The test looks for hidden blood in your poo, which could be an early sign of bowel cancer.
Visit Bowel Cancer UK’s website to find out how you can get involved in their campaign for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month: bowelcanceruk.org.uk.
About Bowel Cancer UK
Bowel Cancer UK is the UK’s leading bowel cancer research charity, determined to save lives and improve the quality of life for all those affected by bowel cancer. The charity supports and influences research, educates patients, the public and professionals about bowel cancer and campaigns for early diagnosis and best treatment and care for all those affected. For more information, visit bowelcanceruk.org.uk
About bowel cancer
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer, affecting both men and women. Every 15 minutes in the UK someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer. That’s 41,200 people every year.
Bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone diagnosed at the earliest stage will survive bowel cancer. However, this drops significantly as the disease develops. Early diagnosis really does save lives.
Symptoms of bowel cancer include:
- Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
- A change in bowel habit lasting three weeks or more
- Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
- Unexplained weight loss
- A pain or lump in your tummy
Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer. Other health problems can cause similar symptoms. But if you have one or more of these, or if things just don’t feel right, go to see your GP.