Nearly One Million More Bowel Cancer Tests to Be Distributed on NHS in London

Lifesaving Campaign

Thanks to the No Time 2 Lose campaign spearheaded by Dame Deborah James, more than 900,000 people in London will receive a free FIT kit, increasing the distribution of bowel cancer tests on the NHS.

Early Detection is Key

Dr Chris Streather, medical director at NHS London, emphasizes the importance of screening for bowel cancer, stating that it is one of the best ways to diagnose the disease early or even prevent it from developing in the first place. By completing and returning their bowel cancer screening kits, more people in London can help stop cancer in its tracks.

Deadly Disease

Bowel cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the UK, claiming the lives of 16,500 people annually. However, the chances of survival are significantly higher if the disease is detected at an early stage.

Spotting the Signs

Common symptoms of bowel cancer include bleeding from the back passage and changes in bowel habits. The Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kits help identify the disease by detecting tiny amounts of blood in the stool. These kits are proven to correctly identify about 9 out of 10 people with bowel cancer.

Expanding the Program

In London, all residents aged 56 to 74 who are registered with a GP will automatically receive a FIT kit every two years. Nationally, the program is being expanded to include everyone over the age of 50 over the next four years.

New Guidance

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has issued new guidance to send FIT kits to anyone with symptoms of bowel cancer. This will help reduce waiting times for colonoscopy procedures, as symptomatic individuals will no longer need to be immediately referred.

By increasing the distribution of bowel cancer tests, the NHS aims to detect the disease early and save more lives. Londoners are urged to complete their FIT kits and join the millions who are taking part in screening this year.