A pioneering cancer screening programme which has already detected more than 60 cases of the disease in Wolverhampton is being extended, health chiefs announced today.
The city was the first place in the country to launch the home testing programme for bowel cancer for residents in their 60s, and it is now extending it from July to those aged between 70 and 74. Currently everyone between the ages of 60 and 69 is sent a screening test kit at home in a bid by health bosses to detect cases of the cancer earlier, when treatment can be more effective.
But despite its success so far, hospital bosses say they could be saving even more lives if more people carried out the tests. Currently there is only a 50 per cent take-up rate.
Dr Max Kalsi, public health consultant at Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust, said: “Early detection is crucial to lowering the high number of deaths from bowel cancer in the city.
“This unique programme allows people to access screening in the privacy of their own homes. The test kit is very simple to complete and I strongly encourage everyone offered the opportunity to participate.
“We would like to get the take-up rate to around 60 per cent. There are a multitude of reasons why it isn’t at the level at the moment, such as embarrassment.”There are 101 cases of bowel cancer detected every year in the city which results in around 50 deaths. Since the screening programme was launched in summer 2006, more than 14,000 testing kits have been sent out to city residents and just above 7,000 returned.
More than 600 residents have had colonoscopies as a result. A total of 306 people have had polyps removed, which can be a pre-cursor to cancer, and 62 cases of the disease have been detected.
The screening for those in their 60s has now been rolled out to other parts of the country. Those aged 70 or above can ask for a screening test kit by calling 0800 707 6060.
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