Harrow Asian Deaf Club ‘Bowel Cancer’ Awareness with Davina Bapiste, Speaker on Bowel Cancer from St. Marks Hospital’s Bowel Screening programme.
Saturday 7th September
Bentley Day Centre, 94 Uxbridge Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 6DH
HADC was pleased to have a key speaker, Davina Baptiste, Health Improvement Specialist of St Mark’s Bowel Cancer Screening Programme to give a talk about Bowel Cancer at Harrow Asian Deaf Club, Bentley Day Centre. Davina introduced herself in basic BSL and is keen to work with local deaf people.
Davina explained about the work of St Mark Hospital’s Bowel Cancer Screening programme, which provides 1st Cancer screening programme for men and women living in Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon and North Ealing area. At present, people aged 60 – 74 are offered a kit test to screen for bowel cancer and there is an option to opt in for people over 75. The project also offers an introduction of scope screening earlier for people aged 55.
Davina explained that Bowel Cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in UK and 3rd in England alone. 1 in 18 people will get bowel cancer in their lifetime and the majority of them (8 out of 10 people) are over 60yrs. It could be because of their family background or lifestyle which is why it is essential to be screened as early as possible to prevent/ minimise risk of cancer.
Kit Test
The Test kits are sent out to people aged 60-74, inviting them to participate in the Bowel Cancer screening programme. The test can easily be done in your own home where person provide a sample of their bowel motion into a sealed kit (picture attached), dated it and sent off to a laboratory in an sealed freepost envelope. This screening is to detect cancer as an early stage.
The result normally takes two weeks and any concerns regarding the result eg unclear, weak positive and abnormal, this will be further monitored in the next 2 years and be referred to a screening specialist if the result is abnormal.
Symptoms of Bowel Cancer
What are they symptoms of bowel cancer? Persistent change in bowel habit? Going to toilet more frequently and Diarrhoea for several weeks?
Blood, Abdominal pain and Unexplained lump in abdomen?
NHS Bowel scope screening is providing a NEW test for all men and women aged 55 to help to prevent bowel cancer by finding and removing polyps. Enema is a special treatment that empties the bowel one hour before leaving home and that bowel scope will be carried out by specially trained Doctor at the appointment.
Asif Iqbal MBE, President of Harrow Asian Deaf Club explained: “This is a vital awareness that many of us takes for granted. The presentation was so visual with a body model demonstrating how inside organs of stomach, bowel works and the impact of bowel cancer.
Our members were taken by surprise by the facilities available that they were unaware of. They valued the information given and the importance of recognising the symptoms of bowel cancer. Also for our members who are over 60yrs, they realised the importance of bowel screening and agreed to refer themselves for screening.
We have lost our loved ones to Bowel Cancer so it is important for us to be aware of it and how to minimise risks of Bowel Cancer. Remember, if you experienced any of the symptoms or have been affected by this; please see your GP/ medical professional immediately.”
For next month event, HADC are delighted to host another fantastic event, Halloween Party which will take place on Saturday 5th October 2013, 6.30pm. The event is not to be missed and is very family friendly and open to all.
If you wish to learn more about the Bowel Cancer -Screening HUB Freephone 0800 707 60 60 or Talk to your GP
NHS Screening Programme website www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk
MacMillan Cancer Support 0800 808 00 00 www.macmillan.org.uk
Bowel Cancer UK 0800 840 3540 www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk
