YOUR HEALTH
with Dr. Raj Thakkar
DON’T THROW YOUR HEALTH AWAY
MAKE SURE YOU USE YOUR BOWEL CANCER SCREENING KIT
Have you been sent a bowel cancer screening kit in the post? If so, please
don't throw it in the bin - you could be throwing away your chance to live
a happy and healthy life.
NHS Chiltern Clinical Commissioning
Group is calling for people to make use of
the kits which screen for symptoms of the
disease so they can get potentially lifesaving treatment early. Bowel Cancer is one
of the most common types of cancer in the
UK, with around 40,000 people diagnosed
every year.
Men and women aged between 60 and 74,
who are registered with a GP surgery, are
sent a bowel cancer screening kit in the
post every two years. This involves a simple
test that can be done in their own home,
which aims to detect possible early signs
of bowel cancer before symptoms develop.
However, only a relatively low number of
screening kits are ever returned, meaning
many must end up in a cupboard for later
use and forgotten about, or in the bin.
If the condition is caught early, bowel
cancer treatment has a high success rate.
But the NHS needs your help to make sure
you have the best possible chance to beat
this form of cancer - by using the screening
kit.
Dr Raj Thakkar, NHS Chiltern CCG’s Clinical
Commissioning Director
for Planned Care, said:
“It is understandable
that some people might
feel a bit embarrassed,
or uncomfortable, about
using these screening
kits, but they really need
to think twice before
throwing the kit away.
Bowel cancer screening
kits are very effective,
and there are good outcomes for most
patients when we catch this condition in
time. It really is vital that eligible people
make use of them.”
Whilst the screening programme targets
people aged 60 - 74, people aged 75 and
over can also request a screening kit by
calling the number below.
Remember: Taking some simple steps
to improve your diet and staying active
can reduce your risk of developing bowel
cancer. Aim to eat five portions of fruit and
vegetables a day, make sure you eat plenty
of fibre, avoid processed meats and have
no more than 500g of red meat per week.
Call the Bowel Cancer Screening Hub on 0800 707 6060 today to order your
screening kit. For more information about bowel cancer visit NHS Choices
www.nhs.uk or Cancer Research UK at www.cancerresearchuk.org
Chiltern Clinical
Commissioning Group
28
To advertise in Hiya Bucks text or call 07947 349134