Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the United Kingdom, affecting about one in twenty people in their lifetime. Furthermore, the risk of developing bowel cancer significantly increases with age, with eight out of ten people diagnosed being over sixty. However, bowel cancer is one of the most curable cancers if diagnosed early enough, although there can be very few symptoms.
North London Cancer Network’s aim is to increase uptake of the free screening service by 5% over the coming months. They hope to raise awareness by working closely with GPs, running a targeted media and marketing campaign and engaging with local communities.
Theresa said, “The North London Cancer Network is doing an excellent job of raising awareness about the risks of bowel cancer. I would urge anyone over the age of sixty to take up the opportunity of a free screening test to make sure that any problems are diagnosed at an early stage, when treatment is likely to be most effective.”“Furthermore, residents don’t even have to visit the doctors. The free bowel screening test kits are sent through the post, so getting tested really couldn’t be easier.”