People across Scotland are being urged to take part in bowel cancer screening as a new campaign launches this April.
Cancer Research UK says around a third of people invited for screening in Scotland do not take part, with men less likely to return their test than women.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Scotland, with around 4,200 new cases diagnosed each year.
The charity’s six-week “Don’t Ignore it” campaign will run across TV, radio, cinema, social media and newspapers. It includes a TV advert voiced by broadcaster Ross King.
In Scotland, people aged 50 to 74 who are registered with a GP are sent a bowel screening kit through the post every two years. The test, known as FIT, looks for tiny traces of blood in a stool sample, which can be a sign of cancer.
Cancer Research UK says some people are put off taking part because they have no symptoms, are worried about the results, or feel the test is messy or embarrassing.
Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “Bowel screening saves lives but we know there can be things that put people off taking part such as not realising it is for those without symptoms, or being frightened of what the test might find.
“The bowel screening programme aims to prevent bowel cancer or find it at an early stage when treatment is more likely to be successful so it’s really important people don’t ignore their invite.”
The campaign features people from Scotland who have been diagnosed through screening, including Ian Anderson, 65, from Newton Mearns.
He was diagnosed with bowel cancer in September 2017 after completing a home screening test and was later treated at hospitals in Glasgow.
Ian said: “The bowel screening test is a little bit of kit that helped save my life. It can spot cancer early, is simple and straightforward and you can complete it in your own home.
“Of course it was a shock at first after completing and sending the kit away when a letter came back advising me I needed more tests. Later, after more tests including a colonoscopy at the Victoria Hospital in Glasgow, the doctor told me it was cancer.”
He underwent surgery at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital followed by chemotherapy, and remains cancer free.
Ian added: “To anyone who received a home bowel screening kit and is hesitating, I’d say do the test and post it back. It will most likely not need any further investigation. But if cancer is found, spotting it early can make all the difference.”
Cancer Research UK says screening is for people without symptoms, and anyone experiencing issues such as changes in bowel habits, bleeding, abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss should contact their GP.
The charity hopes the campaign will encourage more people to return their test kits and help detect cancer earlier, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
Renfrewshire News supports the work of Cancer Research UK and is sharing the national campaign to help raise awareness.
Photo: Ross King
Photo Credit: supplied
Photo: Ian Anderson with his wife Cathy Anderson
Photo Credit: Steve Welsh