This in from the IW NHS, in their own words. Ed
Today NHS Southampton City, NHS Hampshire, NHS Isle of Wight and NHS Portsmouth (SHIP), will officially launch a major new health drive to save hundreds of lives from bowel cancer.
The ‘Act on Cancer’ campaign aims to encourage men and women over the age of 50 to seek medical attention if after three weeks they are still showing the first signs of bowel cancer – which include; rectal bleeding, an unexplained change in bowel habits, such as prolonged diarrhoea and unexplained weight loss.
Early detection can save lives
With the help of around 60 community volunteers, from all walks of life, raising awareness of the symptoms; the SHIP PCTs and Central South Coast Cancer Network (CSCCN) will be encouraging residents in targeted areas to take home the message, that while the over 50s are most at risk of bowel cancer, early detection of symptoms and visiting a GP quickly could help save some of the 16, 000 lives lost to bowel cancer in the UK each year.
Volunteer and bowel cancer survivor, Graham Gibbons said: “When I first suspected I had the symptoms of bowel cancer, I wasn’t thinking it was anything serious. The early diagnosis, without doubt, saved my life and the care I received was first class.”
Local community support
The campaign will launch on 6 June, with additional local support from community, sport and educational charity – Saints Foundation, Pompey Sports & Education Foundation and BBC South Today newsreader, Sally Taylor.
Leading health professionals, community support groups and volunteers will be at these launch events in support of the campaign, sharing facts about bowel cancer and their own personal experiences of the third most common cancer in the UK.
‘Act on Cancer’
Doctor Richard Roope, GP lead for the campaign, said: “The essence of Act on Cancer is to raise awareness about the risks of bowel cancer if left undetected. However, the campaign is also designed to reassure and inform people about symptoms that they should get checked even though these may not always be a result of bowel cancer. If bowel cancer is caught in its earliest stages, over 9 out of 10 people will be completely cured. It’s important family, friends, and those in the community who have first-hand experience of the disease help spread the importance of early diagnosis.”
Showing her support for the campaign, BBC South Today Newsreader, Sally Taylor added: “I’m delighted to support this campaign because having experienced cancer myself, I know how important it is to spot the signs early and get help. My father was also diagnosed with bowel cancer some years ago. Luckily he received good treatment before it was too late. Often it can be scary and we are all guilty of burying are heads in the sand hoping the symptoms will go away, but if cancer is detected early it could save your life. So don’t put it off, go and talk to your doctor.”
Seek attention if you spot the signs
Philip Hastings, Health Kicks Officer at Saints Foundation, comments: “We’re in full support of this campaign and its message. It’s crucial that the symptoms of bowel cancer are recognised as early as possible before it’s too late. We’re urging all supporters of the club, both young and old, to seek medical attention if they spot any of the signs.”
Paul Allen, Health Trainer at Pompey Sports & Education Foundation concludes: “We look forward to next month when we will welcome the campaign’s community volunteers when they come and talk to our older members about the importance of early diagnosis and being able to spot the signs and symptoms before it’s too late. The club is always keen to support local health initiatives, especially those which could help reduce the numbers of lives lost to cancer in our community each year. There are some important messages to communicate to our members.”
Volunteer your help
If anyone is interested in volunteering to help spread messages within their local area to encourage early diagnosis of bowel cancer, please sign up today or find out more by contacting Sam on the dedicated Act on Cancer phone line 07739 340 162.
