Beat cancer by taking your life in your hands

Published on Monday 12 May 2008 10:45

HEALTH experts today called for people to do more to protect themselves from cancer, which claims the lives of more than 2000 people in the Lothians each year.

NHS Lothian wants residents to use Cancer Prevention Week, which starts today, as a kick-off point to make sure they are safeguarded against the disease.

The health board has been backed by Jim Miller, 53, from Edinburgh, who has successfully overcome bowel cancer.

Testing kits are currently being sent out to everyone aged 50 to 74 in the region so they can check themselves out for bowel cancer – the third most common cancer in Scotland, killing 1600 a year.

Mr Miller waited four months after noticing blood in his stools before contacting his GP. Although doctors were able to operate successfully, this delay meant he faced six months of gruelling chemotherapy.

He said: "Had I been diagnosed quicker, I might not have needed that. I would urge people to be as aware as they possibly can be of the threat of cancer, and to any change in their bowel movement which might be cancer."

He added: "If the bowel screening programme had been in operation two years ago, I could have been diagnosed with bowel cancer earlier, had my operation earlier, and might have avoided the need for an arduous six months of backup chemotherapy.

"I fully appreciate that I am extremely fortunate to have presented early and had successful surgery and chemo, and that the nurses also have to deal with the unfortunate patients whose prognosis is bleak. Screening can lead to early detection and, as demonstrated in my story, it can be very treatable and survivable."

Dr Dermot Gorman, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Lothian, said: "Screening saves lives as it can detect bowel cancer at very early stages, even before any symptoms begin to occur. The test is easy to do, it comes with step by step instructions, and it could save your life.

"Bowel cancer is more common in men than women, so it is particularly important that men realise the importance of using the testing kits.

"Simple steps can also be taken to reduce the risk of cancer by stopping smoking, drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and by doing regular exercise."

Cancer Prevention Week has been organised by the World Cancer Research Fund and will run until May 16.

In 2006, 1068 men died from cancer in the Lothians, the second highest figure since 1999.

Meanwhile, 1015 women died in 2006, lower than in most recent years, but higher than the 1010 figure in 1987.

Health chiefs urge people to have themselves checked out by a GP as soon as they suspect something might be wrong. The bowel cancer screening kits identify signs of cancer, such as bleeding before it can be seen by the human eye.

&#149 www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

&#149 www.isdscotland.org

&#149 www.wcrf-uk.org