Time to join the bowel movement

OLDHAMERS are being encouraged to use simple home-testing kits to help spot potential early signs of bowel cancer.

An estimated one in 18 people will get bowel cancer and early detection will give more than nine in 10 of them successful treatment.

Screening kits are available to everyone aged 60 to 74 registered with a GP in the region and are sent through the post. People receive the results within two weeks.

The campaign has been launched in Greater Manchester after uptake levels fell below the national average of 56 per cent.

Health improvement team manager Damian Aston, who works for Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, said people were more likely to complete their tests if they knew someone else who had done it.

“It’s important to note that getting an abnormal result doesn’t necessarily mean you have bowel cancer but by spotting the signs early and getting tested you can drastically improve your chances of a full recovery.”

To find out more visit www.gmmovement.co.uk