WORCESTERSHIRE residents are being thanked by public health leaders for their increased participation in bowel screening.
Bromsgrove, Malvern and Wychavon districts have topped the participation records in the West Midlands, with all three districts having a screening rate above 75 percent for those eligible.
In 2021, bowel screening uptake rates in Worcestershire were worse than the national average, with only 64 per cent of those eligible being screened.
Data now puts screening rates in Worcestershire well above the national average.
Cancer Research UK statistics show bowel cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in men and women in the country.
Screening can detect bowel cancer before symptoms appear, improving treatment and a persons chances of survival.
Screening is available to everyone aged 60 to 74 years and the programme is expanding to make it available to everyone aged 50 to 59 years.
Lisa McNally, Director of Public Health in Worcestershire said: “We are really grateful to our local community in Worcestershire for responding so positively to our Public Health messages on bowel screening.
“But we can’t be complacent about this latest improvement. I’d encourage everyone who is eligible to take part in the screening programme. It’s straightforward to do with a home-test kit and it can literally save your life.”
Worcestershire Director of Public Health urged anyone eligible to get tested, adding the simple home-test kit literally saved lives.
Go to nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/ for more.
