NATIONAL BOWEL CANCER CAMPAIGN - "BE CLEAR ON CANCER"
Blog Author: Lynne Ainsworth LLB (Hons) MA
Bowel cancer is one of the commonest forms of the disease yet if identified early it has an extremely high survival rate yet only 9 % of patients are diagnosed at an early stage. Goodmans recently reported that NHS Sefton now post free self screening kits through the doors of 60 – 70 year olds.
The Government have now launched the first ever national cancer campaign to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. You may have even seen or heard one of The Department of Health’s adverts recently either on the TV or radio.
The “Be Clear on Cancer” campaign uses simple messages to make people aware of the key symptoms of bowel cancer and to give them the confidence to talk to their GP if they notice symptoms.
The campaign aims to reduce the stigma of such symptoms and adverts will appear on TV, radio, online and in newspapers in England for 9 weeks from the end of January.
The campaign forms part of the National Awareness and Early diagnosis Initiative run in partnership with Cancer Research UK. The “Be Clear on Cancer” campaign when piloted in the South West and East of England in January 2011 saw people over the age of 50 presenting with the relevant symptoms increase by 48%.
The message is simple “No matter how embarrassing it is, talking to your GP can help save your life”.
If you display any of the following symptoms make sure you seek help from your GP sooner rather than later:
-Bleeding from rectum or blood in your stools.
-Any change in your bowel habit lasting four weeks or more.
-Unexplained tiredness and/or weight loss.
-A pain or lump in your abdomen.
-Any change in your bowel habit lasting four weeks or more.
-Unexplained tiredness and/or weight loss.
-A pain or lump in your abdomen.
As Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said:
“No one likes talking about their poo – it’s embarrassing. But bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer so we need to get over the embarrassment and talk to someone about it”.
“No one likes talking about their poo – it’s embarrassing. But bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer so we need to get over the embarrassment and talk to someone about it”.
What’s a little embarrassment if it may help save your life?
For more information and support relating to bowel cancer click HERE.
Lynne Ainsworth is an associate clinical negligence solicitor at Goodmans Law. You can e-mail Lynne at lxa@goodmanslaw.co.uk.
Our First Response Team is available from 8.00am to 8.00pm every business day.
For more information please contact us on 0800 073 0385 (0151 257 6000) or by email FRT@Goodmanslaw.co.uk.
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