Rugby’s MP Mark Pawsey is backing Bowel Cancer UK’s campaign to urge more people to take part in bowel cancer screening and save lives, as part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in April.
The Hospital of St Cross in Rugby is the home of the Midlands and North West Bowel Cancer Screening Hub, part of a national programme to ensure that everyone over the age of 55 is screened. The Rugby hub was the initial pilot scheme for this programme and on the back of its success, four other hubs have since been established throughout the country.
Bowel cancer screening can save lives and the NHS’s Bowel Cancer Screening Programme can detect bowel cancer at an early stage in people with no symptoms when it is easier to treat. If you’re registered with a GP and aged 60-74, you will receive a test in the post every two years.
Speaking about the campaign, Mark commented:
“As MP for Rugby and Bulkington, I want to see more local residents benefit from bowel cancer screening, both locally and nationally. I would urge everyone who is sent a bowel screening test to use it. The best way to beat cancer, including bowel cancer, is early diagnosis.”
Mark continued:
“We are fortunate to have the bowel cancer hub based here at the Hospital of St Cross. It’s a great facility which was recognised for providing clear and easy to understand advice, which is particularly important when dealing with a subject as sensitive as cancer.”
Mark concluded:
“More than 44 people die from bowel cancer every day in the UK, making it the nation’s second biggest cancer killer. However, there is no reason it should be as bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early. I hope that more people in Rugby will take advantage of the free screenings this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.”
Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK, added:
“I’d like to thank Mark for supporting our campaign during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month to raise participation levels for bowel cancer screening. One in 14 men and one in 19 women will be diagnosed with thanks to the hard work of Bowel Cancer Screening Hubs such as the one at the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby.”