Bowel cancer test 'to save 150 lives a year'
MORE than 700,000 Scots could take advantage of a national bowel cancer screening programme from the New Year, it was announced yesterday.
The scheme, which was piloted in NHS Highland, is expected to save an estimated 150 lives each year.
About 57 per cent of eligible people – aged 50 to 74 – were screened against a target of 60 per cent in the trial.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Bowel cancer remains one of Scotland's biggest cancer killers but if it's caught early it can be very successfully treated.
"Simply by using this easy, pain-free test in private at home and following up with any necessary treatment, around 150 lives a year could be saved."
One bowel cancer survivor from South Lanarkshire, who gave his name only as Alan, said: "Screening's important. If people get screened right away they can save themselves, they can save their lives."
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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