Lilian pledged to support vital improvements to the Bowel Cancer UK screening programme, at the charity’s parliamentary reception at the House of Commons on Wednesday 30 January.
Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer, making it the UK’s fourth most common cancer. It’s also the second biggest cancer killer, more than 16,000 people die from the disease every year.
Bowel cancer screening can detect the disease at an early stage in people with no symptoms when it is easier to treat and a greater chance of survival. Last year, governments in England and Wales announced they will lower the bowel cancer screening age from 60 to 50 using the potentially more accurate faecal immunochemical test (FIT). Introducing these initiatives will save more lives from this disease.
Lilian will work with Bowel Cancer UK to improve early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care both in Nottingham South and nationally. By bringing people together, such as patients and families, doctors and nurses, scientists and politicians Bowel Cancer UK will create a future where nobody dies of the disease.
Asha Kaur, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Bowel Cancer UK, says: “I’m delighted that Lilian attended our parliamentary reception as part of their role as Bowel Cancer Champion. Lilian serves as a valuable ally in helping us to put bowel cancer firmly on the political agenda and campaigning for crucial improvements to services for bowel cancer patients both nationally and in Nottingham South.”
About bowel cancer
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer, affecting both men and women. Every 15 minutes in the UK someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer. That’s almost 42,000 people every year.
Bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage. However this drops significantly as the disease develops. Early diagnosis really does save lives.
The symptoms of bowel cancer can include:
- Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
- A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
- A pain or lump in your tummy
Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer. Other health problems can cause similar symptoms. If you have one or more of these, or if things just don’t feel right, see your GP.