THE chairman of a bowel cancer charity in the Isle of Man has said she is "delighted" that the Island will introduce a bowel cancer screening programme later this year.
Heather Norman, of Bowel Cancer Isle of Man, said the charity is looking forward to supporting the programme when it starts in July.
She said: "Bowel Cancer Isle of Man is delighted that the Department of Health has undertook to provide bowel cancer screening in the Island and looks forward to supporting the introduction and launch of the programme in July this year.
"Bowel Cancer Isle of Man was formed in 2009 was to raise awareness of the disease, its symptoms and causes. Personally I felt that not enough was being done to educate and inform Isle of Man residents about bowel cancer, and I was aware that screening had been introduced in other parts of the British Isles whereas nothing had been put in place here."
Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in women and the third most common in men. Each year around 25 people die of bowel cancer in the Isle of Man but if the screening programme is successful it is anticipated that around four or five of these lives could be saved.
From July residents between the ages of 60 and 69 will be asked to provide a stool sample every two years which will be sent to a testing centre in Rugby for screening.
Anyone (of any age) with a close family member who has suffered from bowel cancer is at twice the normal risk of developing the disease and should speak to their GP as soon as possible. If appropriate, they can be screened from 40 so that any treatment needed can be given at an early stage.
Heather continued: "Reports on the effectiveness of screening produced by the NHS in England have shown very positive results, but the only way we can be sure that a programme is fully effective here is by encouraging those who receive the testing kits to complete the cards and return them for analysis."
Revealing the news last month Health Minister David Anderson MHK said: "Each day there are new developments in health care, all of which cost money. Prioritising these brings difficult choices but bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in both men and women. I'm certain that implementing this programme is the right way forward."
Bowel Cancer Isle of Man would like to hear from anyone who has time to help the charity particularly in organising displays and events. If you can help on a one-off or regular basis please e-mail bowelcanceriom@manx.net.
Also see: Don't be squeamish - protect yourself against bowel cancer
