Faecal Occult Blood Test allows people to test themselves for symptoms of Bowel Cancer and could save thousands of lives.

A new DIY test for Bowel Cancer could save thousands of lives each year

A simple DIY test for bowel cancer could save as many as 20,000 lives over the next 20 years in the UK alone, it has been claimed.

The kit, which is called the Faecal Occult Blood Test, is being sent to people in their 60s across the UK as part of a national screening campaign.

Cancer Research UK has calculated that there would be 20,000 fewer deaths over the next 20 years if 60% of those who receive the test make use of it. If the figure rises to 80%, then another 5,000 lives could be saved over 20 years, figures from a pilot scheme suggest.

Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with over 35,000 new cases diagnosed every year and up to 16,000 deaths per year.

The Faecal Occult Blood Test is designed to allow people to take faecal samples in the privacy of their own home, which they can then send for testing. If traces of blood are found (which may not be visible to the naked eye) then the person can be offered a colonoscopy to provide detailed information.

In this way pre-cancerous growths can be found and removed before they become malignant (dangerous).

So far the UK Department of Health has issued more than 300,000 kits, from which 2,500 positive results have been returned with the patients now receiving treatment.

Dr Chris says "This is a great breakthrough. Already lives have been saved by this initiative. People can be embarrassed or squeamish about these matters, but a simple test could save your life so I encourage everyone who receives these kits to use them."

More Information
Bowel Cancer UK web site

Cancer Research UK web site


This content was created on Tue 24 July 2007

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