Bowel cancer screening promotion

In a drive to increase bowel cancer screening uptake and improve health outcomes for residents, Kettering and Northamptonshire Bowel Screening Centre are distributing 3,000 packs of toilet rolls and information leaflets to Northampton food banks.

Until the end of April, volunteers at seven participating food banks will share the toilet rolls and details about bowel cancer symptoms and the screening process to people aged over 45.

The aim is to raise awareness of bowel cancer and to increase the return of home screening kits, which are posted every two years to all GP-registered residents aged 50 and above. Uptake in the areas where the food banks are located is low, with rates varying between 37 and 55 percent depending on the postcode.

Screening consultant endoscopist Professor Andrew Chilton, said: “Research shows that people from lower income families are less likely to complete and return their screening test, meaning bowel cancer may go undetected.

“We are delighted to have secured funding and to be working with local food banks to target areas of low uptake and encourage more people to participate in screening when invited to do so.

“By raising awareness and dispelling myths about the screening process, we will potentially save lives. Our advice is to complete and return the screening test when you receive it. Do not wait till it’s too late.”

The three-month NHS funded initiative is supported by Bowel Cancer UK #get it on a roll campaign and Morrisons who are delivering the toilet rolls free-of-charge.

Charlotte Exell, Group Online Director for Morrisons, added: “We are proud to have supported the Kettering and Northamptonshire Bowel Cancer Screening Centre. Since February, we have successfully delivered over 100 bespoke and personalised orders to food banks and charities across Northampton."

Early detection of bowel cancer dramatically improves survival, with 90 to 95 percent of patients surviving at least five years when diagnosed at stage 1. Detecting cancer early through screening allows for successful treatment, which often prevents it from spreading.

John Sherriff, Chief Operations Officer for the Hope Centre in Northampton, said: “This partnership means we are able to share important health information with our service users, many of whom are elderly and vulnerable. Our volunteers build trusted relationships with our customers over time, which means they are well placed to start conversations about the importance of bowel cancer screening."

Food bank volunteers are among those who have also completed Cancer Champion training, offered through Northamptonshire’s General Practice Alliance, to raise awareness and promote screening uptake.

Helen Macmillan, Personalised Care Lead from General Practice Alliance, said: “It is wonderful that our two initiatives have dovetailed in this way. With funding from the East Midlands Cancer Alliance, we have sent over 100 community leaders, volunteers, and professionals on Cancer Research UK training workshops to become champions who are upskilled in promoting screening uptake, signs and symptoms, and having cancer conversations.”

View our UHN video showing the bowel cancer screening partnership in action - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOMaa9oXblU.

Bowel cancer symptoms can be subtle at first. April marks Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, and people are encouraged to see their GP if the following persist for more than three weeks:

• Blood in poo
• Changes in bowel habits such as diarrhoea or constipation
• Persistent abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Feeling as though you have not emptied your bowel properly