Concerning news over low bowel cancer screening uptake in over 60s

According to research in the European Journal of Cancer, half of people in England who received a home testing kit in 2015 did not use it, with fewer men than women returning the kits.

It also emerged that those who lived in poorer areas were less likely to take part in the screening than those in more affluent areas.

The home testing kits, which are designed to identify the disease prior to the appearance of symptoms, requires small samples to be returned for screening in specially sealed envelopes.

Cancer Research UK have voiced their concerns over the figures.

The research looked at data obtained in relation to 4.4 million people who had been sent the kits over a five year period.

56 per cent of women returned samples, compared with 47 per cent of men.

Lead researcher Dr Christian von Wagner, said “The fact fewer and fewer people are returning their kits and that inequalities in the system are widening is very worrying.

“There is an urgent need to revolutionise bowel cancer screening because the earlier cancer is spotted, the more lives can be saved.”

Cancer Research UK’s Sara Hiom, said “Our bowel cancer screening programme is extremely effective at detecting early disease before symptoms show themselves, so it’s very concerning that so may people are missing out on this potential health benefit.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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