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Nearly ½ of people living
in the North West ignore the bowel cancer screening test
ON average only 53% of people living in
the North West who are sent the bowel cancer screening test for free in the post
actually complete it. Bowel Cancer UK, the UK's leading bowel cancer research
charity, is encouraging people living in the region to take part in the
screening programme as part of:- 'Bowel Cancer Awareness Month' in April
2017.
In April alone across the UK, nearly 3,500 people will be diagnosed with bowel
cancer and over 1,300 people will die of the disease. It's the nation's second
biggest cancer killer, however it shouldn't be. It's treatable and curable,
especially if diagnosed early.
Uptake rates for bowel cancer screening are low with huge variations across the
North West. The bottom 5 areas that need to see the most improvement are:-
Central Manchester (40%), North Manchester (42%), South Manchester (44%),
Liverpool (47%) and Knowsley (48%). The top five areas with the highest uptake
are Eastern Cheshire (61%), Cumbria (60%), West Cheshire (59%), Fylde and Wyre
(58%) and Southport and Formby (57%).
The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme can detect bowel cancer at an early
stage in people with no symptoms when it is easier to treat and a greater chance
of survival. If you're registered with a GP and aged 60 to 74, you will receive a
test in the post every 2 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.
In 2018, England will replace the current screening test with a simpler and more
accurate test; Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT). FIT is a more sensitive test
than the current one, and has the potential to detect more cancers and
pre-cancerous polyps as well as increasing screening participation.
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK, says:- "It's quite
simple, bowel cancer screening saves lives. It's predicted that even using the
current test, the screening programme will save over 2,000 lives each year by
2025. I would encourage everyone who's over 60 to take the test, and for those
who are younger to encourage their loved ones over 60 to complete it. It could
save yours or your loved ones life."
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the
importance of taking part in bowel cancer screening. Bowel Cancer UK's
award winning health promotion team is looking for work places and community
groups in the local area to host a talk about screening in April.
The 30 minute
talk is delivered by a trained health promotion volunteer, who often has a
personal experience of bowel cancer.
The programme, which was awarded a Health and Wellbeing Award by the Royal
Society of Public Health, stresses the importance of those who are of screening
age to take the bowel cancer screening test, raises awareness of the disease as
well as good bowel health, and highlights the symptoms and risks.
If you're interested in hosting a talk at your work place, community group and
any other place that has an existing group or charity,
online or send them an
email. |
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School pupils hold community
feed for 300 people
PUPILS at a Liverpool School are
holding a community feed for 300 local people, on Tuesday, 4 April 2017, to highlight
the issues of poverty.
Year 5 children at St Teresa of Lisieux Catholic Primary School in Norris
Green have been studying a topic entitled:- 'What riches lie in poverty?',
looking at issues around the world from South Africa to Europe and the UK.
The idea for:- 'The Food, Love and Community Feed' came from looking at
stark statistics regarding poverty in this country, which prompted the pupils to
seek a wider understanding of what support there is within communities for those
suffering with financial difficulties, and what part they can play in helping
tackle it.
It will see the local community enjoy free, warm delicious food prepared by the
children, explore an edible playground where they have been growing their own
fruit and vegetables, take part in cookery lessons with professional chefs,
learn about the work of food banks and have the opportunity to benefit from debt
advice and money management advisors.
As part of their learning and organisation for the
event, the children have:-
► Written and pitched to supermarkets asking for donations of food, including
Tesco, in Old Swan.
► Visited a local Food Hub and Food Bank to help out in the community.
► Written leaflets educating others on the topic of poverty.
► Volunteered to work alongside the Liverpool Real Junk Food Project prepping
food for other community events.
► Linked up with professional chefs, who taught them how cooking healthy cooking
is possible on a budget.
► Read and discussed the novel:- 'Just Juice' by Karen Hesse, prompting
discussions about generation poverty and those who feel disenfranchised
Headteacher Andrew Tremarco said:- "This has been a remarkable project
looking at an issue which affects millions of people around the world, including
many close to home.
It has really inspired our children to do something practical and positive to
tackle the issue of poverty. Most importantly, the community will have an
opportunity to come together and celebrate the joy, happiness and richness that
love and togetherness can bring to us all."
Did you see or play any good
April 1st Jokes?
THE traditional April Fools Day jokes
hit the web once again, but did you fall for any of them? Did you play any good
jokes on anyone? Please let us know via emailing us to:-
News24@SouthportReporter.com and let us know... especially if you
have any photos taken by you! |
