PROGRESS of a bowel cancer screening programme at Leighton Hospital has been praised by a leading charity.

Bowel Cancer UK championed the progress of the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme at Leighton Hospital's screening centre, which was the first of its kind in Cheshire and forms part of the pioneering national programme.

Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK with latest figures showing that over 700 people die each year from the disease in Cheshire and Merseyside.

A spokesperson for the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme said: "This is because it is so hard to pick up and early symptoms are quite nebulous - changes in bowel movements, abdominal pain, and blood in stools - can be attributed to other illnesses.

"The primary age for bowel cancer is between 60 - 69 which is the group we are targetting."

Screening for the disease is done by a Faecal Occult Blood Test, which shows the whereabouts of bleeding in the bowel and has shown to reduce mortality rates by 16% - potentially saving at least 115 lives a year in Cheshire and Merseyside.

More than 30% of eligible people in their 60s across East and Mid-Cheshire have already taken part in the programme in the two months since its inception and hospital screening staff are encouraging others in their 60s to take the simple test which is done at home.

Whilst people aged 70 and over can obtain a kit by contacting the screening hub in Rugby on 0800 7076060 those under 60 should contact their GP if they have concerns.

Emma Mowat, head of service delivery at Bowel Cancer UK, said: "Despite the statistics, bowel cancer is highly treatable if caught early, with an estimated 90% survival rate.

"However, a quarter of bowel cancer cases are not diagnosed until after the cancer has spread, most often to the liver.

"Early detection through screening is, therefore, a vital step towards saving lives, which is why Bowel Cancer UK is actively supporting the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme."

For more information about bowel cancer visit www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk or call Bowel Cancer UK's advisory service on 0870 8506050.