Calls for bowel cancer test to be extended

ALL patients diagnosed with bowel cancer should be routinely tested for an inherited condition which could help protest siblings, a charity has said.

Bowel Cancer UK is urging NHS Scotland to commit to testing all newly-diagnosed patients for Lynch syndrome – a serious inherited condition that increases the risk of developing bowel cancer by up to 80%, as well as many other cancers.

There is also a 50% chance that a patient’s children and siblings will have the condition.

Currently in Scotland testing for Lynch syndrome only takes place in newly diagnosed patients under the age of 60. Bowel Cancer UK is calling on Scotland to test all newly diagnosed bowel cancer patients, following a rec- ommendation by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England, in February 2017.

The charity is petitioning UK Health Ministers, including Shona Robison MSP, to introduce routine testing.

Emma Anderson, head of Bowel Cancer UK in Scotland, said: “Testing everyone for Lynch syndrome in Scotland ensures that no one slips through the net, in- cluding family members who may also have the condition and be at risk of bowel cancer themselves.

“This is vital so appropriate steps can be taken to reduce their risk of developing cancer such as preventative surgery or regular colonoscopy, which is proven to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer by 72%.”

To sign the petition go to bowelcanceruk.org.uk