In Bowel Cancer Awareness Month it’s a good opportunity to remind colleagues about the screening programmes in our area, and the improved screening programme coming along in the next few months.

Regular NHS bowel cancer screening reduces the risk of dying from bowel cancer - the 4th most common type of cancer. Screening can help prevent it or find it at an early stage when it's easier to treat.

The Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield Bowel Cancer Screening Programme currently offers screening to those aged 54 to 74 yrs every two years.

By the summer it will be one of the first screening programmes in the Yorkshire and Humber Region ready to offer vital screening to people aged between 50 and 74.

Once this full age range of screening is in place, everyone in the age range will be invited to participate by completing a test kit at home every two years. People aged 75 or over can ask request a kit once every two years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

Pictured below are some of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme Team. back row left to right: Ashleigh, Christine, Nicola, Marcia, Debbie and Lorraine. Front row: Karen and Natalie.

Watch out for more information in our main entrances this month.

Lynch Surveillance

The Bowel Cancer Screening programme has also taken over the surveillance of those patients diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome. This ensures that these high-risk patients are part of a robust surveillance programme with highly skilled Endoscopists who have been accredited to the Bowel Cancer Screening service.

People diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome will be offered a surveillance colonoscopy every two years through the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. This is because Lynch Syndrome can increase your chance of getting bowel cancer, and screening through a colonoscopy reduces the chance of becoming seriously ill or dying from bowel cancer. The age you will be invited for a colonoscopy will depend on which variant of Lynch Syndrome a person has.

Screening saves lives

By participating in the Bowel Cancer Screening programme, you are reducing your risk of Bowel Cancer. Whilst we know that no screening programme is 100% reliable, it does save lives. 

If you receive a Bowel Cancer Screening test kit through the post, please use it. Don’t bin it because it could save your life. If you have any questions or would like to know more, please contact the Bowel Cancer Screening Team.