We don’t often talk about ‘breakthroughs’ at Cancer Research UK – science can be a slow moving and painstaking process. But every now and again researchers make a discovery that has the potential to immediately start saving lives.
In April this year, the results of a trial were published in the Lancet which universally excited the cancer research community. The trial, which had taken 16 years to carry out, and which we’d helped to support, showed that a new bowel screening technique – known as Flexi-Scope – could both reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer and prevent the disease from developing in the first place.
We covered the trial on this blog, and many of you left comments sharing your excitement and optimism about the discovery.
Today, David Cameron announced on the Andrew Marr show that Flexi-Scope is to be included in the NHS Bowel Screening Programme. This is fantastic news. We believe that the technique has the potential to cut the number of cases of bowel cancer by a third, and cut deaths from the disease by almost half (43 per cent) among those attending screening.
This could save thousands of lives every year, and push bowel cancer down the league table of cancer cases in the UK.
But the work’s not over – we now need the Government to commit to rolling the programme out across the NHS as quickly as possible, and to ensuring proper training and resources.
Any unnecessary delay will cost lives.
Henry
Comments
Karen October 5, 2010
This is fantastic news, about time to. I had Bowel cancer at the young age of 29, so it can effect younger people too. I am now 13 yrs clear of the disease thanks to catching it early myself. Bowel screening will help more people like me survive Bowel Cancer with screening. I go for a Colonoscapy every 5 yrs, nothing too it, a little uncomfortable, but its worth the reassurance that everything is normal, and you can get back to living your life, Worry free.
lesley October 5, 2010
Brilliant news. How can we get screened early? Bowl cancer in the family.
Audrey October 5, 2010
two of my friends were offered the test in 2008/09 in West Sussex. Although they had no symptoms they each took it and were found to be suffering bowel cancer. They have both been treated and are, hopefully, clear now. At what ages is it proposed that testing will be brought in for all?
Kath Hope October 5, 2010
This test saved my Dad’s life – thank God for the test :) as he had absolutely no signs or symptoms of bowel cancer, and only took the test to please his wife.
paul(rocky) rosser October 5, 2010
i think it is a must with so many people dying of the great big (c)now is the time to get the ball rolling
carol October 5, 2010
great news
joe kerr October 5, 2010
It has to be a good thing anything tnhat get you an early warnng must help . it is the stages that you need to be aware of ie T1 T2 T3 T4. i was told that i had a T3 and had the op to remove it .The higher the number the more serious it is . dont leave it It does not stop there they tell you it can come back anytime in the next 5 years its like living with a time bomb
Liz Knowles October 5, 2010
This is great news. Who would be tested?
Anne Yavary October 5, 2010
I agree with Joanna that this screening, whilst very good news, should start earlier – I would suggest 50 years old. Also I would like to see it being brought in faster and not being a ‘Post Code’ lottery treatment. I am 100% in favour of this screening for bowel cancer – the 3rd most common cancer – so lets bring it on, and quickly!!!
Jenny Fraser October 5, 2010
Wonderful news if it will really happen. At the moment Sussex is doing testing – well that is what I thought. Several of my friends have had it done but asking at my GP surgery if I could I was told that “my part of Sussex” was not included. My friends did not have to ask, they were invited. One of them was found to have bowel cancer although she had no symptons at all. Told me to be tested too but I am in the wrong part of Sussex. So again Postcoding. Love to see it happen but am not holding my breath.
Joanna Cooney October 5, 2010
This all sounds fantastic. I have been looking forward to hearing this since it was first announced. I just hope it is made available much sooner than has been suggested and that those responsible for the screening programme have listened to all those people who recommend it being offered to everyone at a much younger age. I suggest 45 to 50.
Henry Scowcroft October 5, 2010
Hi everyone,
There are more details about the Flexi-Scope technique in this post:
http://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2010/04/28/new-study-marks-major-advance-in-bowel-cancer-screening/
And details about the Government announcement here:
Cheers,
Henry
Ron Miller October 5, 2010
Is this another Colonoscopy or a new less evasive technique? Whatever, it can only be good news providing the government make it available by invitation on a voluntary basis.
David October 5, 2010
Great work. Is this possible to roll out in the next few years? Who would be screened?
Andy Huggett October 4, 2010
Fantastic news – let’s keep the pressure up for a speedy roll out! Let’s not forget that bowel cancer is the third most common cancer with over 100 people diagnosed every day.
mariea povey October 5, 2010
iam a 65 yrs old lady. i have not had my bowel screening kit yet, all my friends have had it
my birthday is 29/11/44 i have ranf several times
they said i would have it in sept. but i havent
mrs m povey