People across the region are being urged to complete and return their bowel cancer screening kits as the NHS programme marks its 20th anniversary.
The appeal comes during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, with health leaders reminding eligible patients that the free test can be done at home in just a few minutes and could help detect bowel cancer at an early stage.
Screening kits are sent by post to everyone aged 50 to 74 who is registered with a GP.
The test uses a faecal immunochemical test, or FIT kit, to check for tiny traces of blood in a sample of poo, which can be an early sign of bowel cancer.
The NHS said the test can not only identify cancer sooner, but can also detect precancerous changes, helping prevent the disease from developing.
Dr Julie Frier, consultant in public health screening and immunisation lead at NHS England South West, said: “Bowel screening saves lives. It’s quick and it can be done in the privacy of your own home.
“If you’re aged between 50 to 74 years old a free bowel screening test kit will be sent to your home. Don’t put it off.
“As the programme marks its 20th anniversary this year, we’re asking everyone who receives a kit to complete it and return it as soon as they can – it could be the most important post you’ll receive.”
Grace, 54, from the South West, said she believed the lowering of the screening age from 60 to 50 had made a major difference in her case after she was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
She said: “I feel truly blessed that the screening age was lowered – from 60 to 50 – I’m 54 and I truly believe that if I continued to have no symptoms, by the time I got to 60 in 6 years’ time, I think things would have escalated.
“Receiving a cancer diagnosis was hugely shocking. I never thought it would happen to me. I think the hardest part was having to tell my family, my husband and my sons.
“If the test comes through the door, do the test. It takes five minutes and it could save your life.”
Bowel screening is offered to people without symptoms. Over the past 20 years, the national programme has helped detect 70,000 cases of bowel cancer.
People are also being reminded to be aware of symptoms including changes in bowel habits, blood in poo, bleeding from the bottom, tummy pain, bloating, unexplained weight loss, and feeling very tired or short of breath.
Anyone aged 75 or over can still request a screening kit every two years by calling the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.
