Fiona Bruce MP is supporting Bowel Cancer UK’s End the Capacity Crisis campaign and is calling for a reduction in waiting times for tests that could diagnose bowel cancer – the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.
Fiona Burce MP is also encouraging people over 60 to take up the free Bowel Cancer Home Testing Kit, which should be sent to them by their GP. Fiona Bruce said:
‘I know this is not the most pleasant test to undertake, but it is a way in which we can all be sure in later life of catching the earliest possible diagnosis of bowel cancer, so that we can obtain further help soon if need be – in most cases this will give peace of mind for a few minutes of our time at home. I urge everyone to do this and if you are over 60 and have not received the kit, contact your GP.’
Fiona Bruce MP also joined more than 5,000 people and cross party MPs in signing Bowel Cancer UK’s open letter calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Philip Hammond, and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, The Rt Hon Matt Hancock, to work together to develop an action plan to improve diagnostic services for bowel cancer.
The two key tests to diagnose bowel cancer are colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy. These tests are known as endoscopy procedures and can detect cancer at the earliest stage of the disease, when it is more treatable, and even prevents cancer through the removal of pre-cancerous growths (polyps).
Nearly everyone diagnosed at the earliest stage of bowel cancer will survive but this drops significantly as the disease develops, so getting timely access to these tests is vital.
Fiona Bruce MP said,
“Given the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, it is vital that everyone referred for this life-saving test is seen in a timely manner. That’s why I have signed Bowel Cancer UK’s important letter to ensure everyone has the availability of a diagnosis at the earliest moment this is needed. I urge anyone concerned about being at risk of this to obtain a diagnosis; working together we can save more lives by diagnosis earlier.
Asha Kaur, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Bowel Cancer UK, said,
“Timely access to tests for bowel cancer is key to improving early diagnosis. So I’d like to thank Fiona Bruce for supporting our campaign to tackle this issue.’