Take the test

Apr 29 2008

HOUSEHOLDERS who receive a bowel cancer testing kit are being urged to do the check as they could be in the early stages of the disease without realising it.

A nationwide initiative, test kits are being sent out to people aged 60-69 who are registered with a GP. Nearly 100,000 people's tests will be screened over the next two years at the regional centre at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield which covers Birmingham East and North, Solihull and North Staffordshire.

Lead consultant gastroenterologist at the hospital Monzur Ahmed says everyone who receives the kit should take the test.

"In the early stages bowel cancer can be asymptomatic and people may not be aware of any problems. With the tests we can find polyps before they become malignant and remove them. In this way it is prevention rather than cure."

At the moment the kits are aimed at the target age group as the risk of bowel cancer increases over 60 and Dr Ahmed says it may be rolled to over 69s in the future.