Spotlight on Screening

In January 2010 Beating Bowel Cancer launched a new policy document about bowel cancer screening at its annual BE LOUD BE CLEAR parliamentary reception.  Spotlight on Screening – The Importance of Early Diagnosis was distributed to all attendees at the reception and sent to all MPs following the event.  The document provides an update on the screening programme to date, outlines Beating Bowel Cancer's call for screening in the UK and details the way MPs can support the charity.

Read Spotlight on Screening: The Importance of Early Diagnosis here

Since this document was published the screening figures have been updated and, as a result of screening, to date 4,500 patients have been diagnosed with bowel cancer and over 20,000 polyps have been removed, potentially preventing thousands of cancers.  In addition screening is now available throughout the UK (with the exception of Northern Ireland) to those aged 60-69 in England and Wales and 50-74 in Scotland.

By the end of 2010 the Government will extend the screening to include those aged 70-74 years.  Furthermore the Government has pledged to discuss the extension of the screening programme to people in their fifties.

For more information about screening click here