Half ignore cancer test

People’s lives are at risk because they are ignoring the bowel cancer screening test, a charity said.

Last year in Lanarkshire 114,853 people aged between 50 and 74 were sent screening kits. Of those 52 per cent were returned.

Despite this being an increase of 5.1 per cent on the previous year, it still represents the joint-lowest uptake rate in the country.

Bowel Cancer UK is encouraging people to take part in the screening programme.

Airdrie MP Neil Gray said: “It is vitally important that if people receive a screening kit through the door that they send it back.

“Early detection can quite literally be the difference between life and death.

“It might seem a bit horrid but it can and very often does save lives.”

In April alone across Scotland more than 300 people will be diagnosed with bowel cancer and at least 130 people will die of the disease.

But bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.

Emma Anderson from Bowel Cancer UK said: “It’s quite simple. Bowel cancer screening saves lives.

“It’s predicted that the screening programme will save more than 2000 lives each year by 2025.

“I would encourage everyone who is over 50 to take the test and those who are younger to encourage their loved ones who are over 50 to complete it.”

To find out more about bowel cancer and screening visit bowelcanceruk.org.uk.