Essex lagging in race to beat bowel cancer (From Echo)

Essex lagging in race to beat bowel cancer

1:00am Thursday 7th August 2008 in

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IT’S the second biggest cancer killer in the UK, claiming 16,000 lives every year. But as far as screening for bowel cancer is concerned, you’re better off living up north.

Essex is lagging way behind other parts of the country when it comes to detecting bowel cancer at the early stages – something that could mean the difference between life and death.

Despite a national bowel cancer screening programme being launched two years ago, not one hospital in Essex currently offers patients vital screening services.

In the North East and midlands, however it’s a different story with screening services readily available in many places.

So why is this?

Billericay MP John Baron is demanding answers from Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health.

The Tory politician raised the issue in parliament last week, saying he was “extemely concerned” that local progress locally had been too slow.

He told the Echo: “This is a regional shame.

“There’s no room for excuses.

“Let’s be clear about it, screening saves lives and the sooner my constituents can be screened the better.

“To be told that no hospitals in Essex have yet received accreditation and that no screening invitations have therefore been issued locally, is extremely disappointing.

“This would seem to confirm figures highlighted by Bowel Cancer UK which make clear that the East of England is lagging far behind other regions in terms of invitations for screenings.”

“I’m not going to let this go. The secretary of state for health has promised to look into the issue and I will be pressing him for some urgent answers.”

One of the reasons behind the delay could be that in order to carry out screenings, a hospital must have two accredited members of staff.

This means a period of training, plus exams, which must be passed by the individual employees before the screening programme can launched at a local level.

However, the situation is starting to look a little brighter, with Basildon Hospital set to become the first hospital in Essex to offer screening.

Jennifer Walker, general manager for medicine and emergency care at the hospital said: “The launch of the South Essex Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is planned for autumn 2008, and Basildon Hospital has been busy in preparation.  “One of our consultants has already received accreditation to be a screening colonoscopist, and another is due for assessment in September.  “In addition, two specialist screening practitioners have been appointed and are currently undergoing an extensive induction programme specific to bowel cancer screening.  “Other key projects linked to the bowel cancer screening programme include an investment of more than £350,000 on new equipment for endoscopy as well as a £5million development to create a new endoscopy unit at Basildon Hospital.

“Work on the new unit will start later this month and should be complete by summer 2009.”

It is not yet clear when screening services will be offered at Southend Hospital. The screening programme operates from a hub centre – for the south east this is based in Norwich.

It sends out faecal blood test kits to residents aged between 65 and 69 or those deemed to be at risk of contracing bowel cancer.

Patients are asked to provide a stool sample and send it back to the hub centre for testing Those whose samples warrant further investigation will be sent to their local hospital for more in-depth screening.

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK and the second leading cause of cancer deaths, with more 16,000 people dying from it each year.

Regular screening has been shown to reduce by 16 per cent the risk of dying from the disease.

One person who knows more than most how important early detection can be is Brian O’Boyle.

Mr O’Boyle, 74, of Tensing Gardens, Billericay lost his wife Linda, 64 to the disease earlier this year.

He said: “Of course I am totally in favour of having a local screening programme, the sooner the better.

“My wife wasn’t screened and by the time we found out the cancer was at an aggressive stage.

“I would urge anyone who thinks something might be wrong to get tested.

“They screen for breast cancer alright and they need to do the same for bowel cancer.”

Janet Wagstaff, secretary of the Southend Bowel Cancer Support Group, believes diagnosing the disease can be hampered because of British reticence about toilet related matters.

She said: “It can be a taboo subject. We don’t like talking about toilet issues.

“Sometimes that can prevent someone from seeking help.

“At the end of the day you know your own body. You know if you’re a once a day person or if you’re back and forwards from the bathroom every five minutes.”

Janet, 69, of Thurstow Avenue, Southend, underwent chemotherapy and surgery after being dianosed with bowel cancer in 2000.

The mum of three, who is now in remission, added: “There is nothing to be embarassed about and a trip to the doctor could end up saving your life.”

For more information about the national bowel screening programme visit www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk