John Baron MP highlights poor local take-up of screening at Beating Bowel Cancer’s Parliamentary reception

MP urges more people to put aside their embarrassment

As Chairman of the APPG on Cancer, John Baron MP yesterday hosted and spoke at Beating Bowel Cancer’s annual reception in Parliament. The reception highlighted Beating Bowel Cancer’s 1,2,3 campaign which aims to increase the number of people taking part in the bowel cancer screening programme. Although all people between the ages of 60 and 75 are invited to take part in the screening programme, currently only 53% of people in Basildon and Billericay do. The 1,2,3 campaign could save over 1,200 lives each year. John has also tabled Early Day Motion 1295 in support of the 1,2,3 campaign – the wording of which can be found in the Notes to Editors below. Anne Milton MP (Health Minister) and Mark Flannagan (Chief Executive, Beating Bowel Cancer) also spoke at the reception.

John said:

“Over half of the 38,000 people diagnosed with bowel cancer each year die unnecessarily because they are not diagnosed early enough. Too many people are embarrassed to address medical concerns emanating from their knickers or underpants, and this is costing lives.”

“Currently, only half of those eligible people in Basildon and Billericay participate in the bowel cancer screening programme. This is considerably lower than other national cancer screening programmes. This must change as lives depend on it. ”

Notes to Editors

EDM 1295 (Beating Bowel Cancer’s 1, 2, 3, Campaign): “That this House is concerned that half of the 38,600 people diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK will die from the condition but that bowel cancer is curable if detected early enough; welcomes the Government’s announcements on bowel cancer, including the introduction of flexible sigmoidoscopy screening and local campaigns in England to improve public awareness of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer; further welcomes the contribution made by the previous Government to improving earlier diagnosis but highlights the need for wider participation in bowel cancer screening to improve outcomes; and supports Beating Bowel Cancer’s 1,2,3 campaign that seeks to increase the number of people taking part in the bowel cancer screening programme, which could save up to 1,279 lives every year in England.”

About bowel cancer

• Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer
• Over half (56%) of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage
• Over 90% of cases could be cured (survive 5 years from diagnosis) if diagnosed early
• Early diagnosis is essential to save lives from bowel cancer

Bowel Cancer Screening

Bowel cancer screening is available to men and women aged 60-75 in England, 60-69 in Wales and 50-75 in Scotland. A screening kit is sent to those eligible every two years to be completed at home and returned by post. Screening can pick up bowel cancer before symptoms arise. Those over the age of 70 can phone the freephone helpline on 0800 707 60 60 to request a kit. For more information about bowel cancer and the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme please visit: http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/bowel/index.html

The 1,2,3 campaign aims to increase participation in bowel cancer screening  by broadcasting a film in GP surgeries across England via the Life Channel that explains the procedure in easy to follow steps. Supporting materials include campaign posters and leaflets and a website. For more information about visit www.bowel123.co.uk

The 123 campaign is supported by a grant from Ethicon Endo-surgery: www.ethiconendosurgery.com

Beating Bowel Cancer is a national charity for bowel cancer patients, working to raise awareness of symptoms, promote early diagnosis and encourage open access to treatment choice for those affected by bowel cancer. Through our work we aim to save lives from this common cancer. For more information visit www.beatingbowelcancer.org.