City has lowest rate of bowel cancer screening
GLASGOW has the lowest rate of bowel cancer screening in Scotland –with almost 50% not taking up the test offer.
Statistics show just 51.5% of people sent back test kits. The rate is worse among men in the most deprived communities, where it falls to 39%.
There is a clear difference across the country among take-up rates between the least deprived and most deprived areas.
The waiting time for colonoscopy for full diagnosis after a positive screening test in Glasgow is longer than the Scottish average.
The rate of city patients sent for colonoscopy and seen within four weeks is 39% and 53% take between four and eight weeks before a colonoscopy is performed.
Across Scotland 53% are seen within four weeks for a colonoscopy.
NHS Greater Glasgow ans Clyde said people shouldn’t be embarrassed about taking the potentially life saving test.
Labour’s health spokesman Anas Sarwar said: “These figures reveal a worrying picture across Glasgow of the huge variation in screening uptake rates between the least and most deprived communities.
“Given the clear relationship between early identification of cancer and survival rates, I am extremely concerned that more is not being done to increase uptake rates.
“The Scottish Government and the Health Board should be investing more in detecting cancer early to help tackle this divide.”
The health board has urged people to take the test to improve survival chances.
Dr Emilia Crighton, Deputy Director of Public Health, said: “As a Board, we are also disappointed that more people did not accept our invitation for this vital screening test.
“I urge everyone who receives an invitation letter and test kit to take part in the potentially life-saving screening programme.
“Early detection of colorectal cancers through screening will result in more effective treatment and improves survival rates.”
The health board said: “NHGGC aims to book patients coming through the Bowel Screening Programme for colonoscopy within 31 days of a positive test result. The waiting times for Bowel Screening colonoscopy are closely monitored and every effort is made to identify additional capacity as required to reduce waiting times for patients.”