Calls to get tested for bowel cancer in North Yorkshire

We're being told the take up for a bowel cancer screening test in parts of North Yorkshire is low.

People aged between 60 and 74 are now being urged to complete a home testing kit that can detect signs of the disease.

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, killing nearly 17,000 people every year.

Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance have their own #FlushAwayBowelCancer campaign - as part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

They're looking to encourage more people to complete the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) throughout the month.

This type of cancer is curable, especially if diagnosed early, when you are up to nine times more likely to be successfully treated.

Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage.

However, this drops significantly as the disease develops.

Dr Dan Cottingham, Cancer Research UK GP Lead for Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, said:

“Nine out of 10 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed in people over the age of 50, and the earlier it’s treated, the more likely you are to be treated successfully. That’s why it’s so important you don’t ignore the FIT kit when it arrives in the post.

“Don’t flush away that chance of early detection – it’s the most important job you can do for your loved ones.”

What are some of the symptoms?

· changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation

· needing to poo more or less often than usual

· red or black blood in your poo

· bleeding from your bottom

· often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just had one

· tummy pain

· a lump in your tummy

· bloating

· losing weight without trying

· feeling very tired

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