Campaign to highlight bowel cancer risk

HEALTH chiefs in North Yorkshire have launched a campaign to highlight the risks of bowel cancer amid a worrying ignorance over the disease.

Patients are being urged to act on symptoms of the illness as it is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK, according to Dr Martin Hawkings, Public Health Consultant for the primary care trust, NHS North Yorkshire and York.

Many people across the UK are oblivious to lifestyle factors such as diet, weight and exercise affecting the risk of cancer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The NHS is now attempting to set aside the myths regarding cancer and emphasise the importance of seeking medical advice in the early symptom stages through the Be Clear on Cancer Campaign.

It is estimated that up to 10,000 bowel cancer deaths nationally could have been avoided if people were aware of the symptoms and got them checked out earlier,

Blood in faeces that have been looser for three weeks or more is one of the main symptoms of bowel cancer, but the condition can often remain unseen owing to the patients’ initial embarrassment.

Dr Hawkings said: “Embarrassment is often a key barrier to people getting symptoms checked, but I’d like to reassure people that all GPs in the area are aware of the campaign and are expecting an increase in enquiries from patients in relation to these symptoms.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dr Joan Meatkins, the GP cancer lead for Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “All the staff are trained to treat patients with these symptoms in a very sensitive way.”

She added: “There is no need to feel embarrassed about telling your doctor and getting the right treatment.”

The Be Clear on Cancer campaign will run throughout September across North Yorkshire after health chiefs from the primary care trust have joined forces with NHS Yorkshire and Yorkshire Cancer Network.