Date of release: 31 March 2023
People will be given a weekly opportunity to find out more about Bowel Cancer Screening as well as the signs and symptoms to be aware of, thanks to sessions being set up in partnership with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT).
Throughout April, as part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Bowel Cancer Specialist Screening Practitioners will be in the former vaccination centre, opposite Rymans, in Wolverhampton’s Mander Centre between 10am and 2pm each Tuesday.
They will be joined by Lesley Thorpe, Macmillan Primary Care Nurse Facilitator from the Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Public Health colleagues.
The Bowel Cancer Screening Programme invites individuals to participate at the ages of 56 and 60-74 years. They are sent a test kit every two years.
People who are 58 years old will also be included from the end of March 2023. The NHS plans to invite individuals registered with a GP to participate in Bowel Cancer Screening from the age of 50 by 2025, so there will be more age groups added over the next two years.
Sarah Jewes, Bowel Cancer Screening Programme Manager at RWT, said: “These will be friendly sessions where we can answer any queries people may have about screening.
“Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK. We want to encourage those who are about to receive a testing kit or those who may already have a kit at home waiting for completion to make sure they do the test. Early detection of cancers and polyps is vital as it can save lives.”
Sarah said the sessions would also be a good way to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms which are:
- Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
- A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
- A pain or lump in your tummy
She added: “We understand that talking about toilet habits and discussing such personal matters is awkward for many people but our message is that if something doesn’t feel right please let your GP know so we can find out more. There may be absolutely nothing to worry about but better safe than sorry.”
These sessions start next Tuesday 4 April.
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Notes to Editor
