Take the life saving test
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland after lung and breast cancer. Every year, almost 4,000 people are diagnosed with the disease. 95% of new cases occur in people over the age of 50 Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death for men and third for women with 1600 people dying of the disease in Scotland each year
The Scottish Bowel Screening programme will invite all men and women in Scotland between the ages of 50 to 74 for screening every two years. A home based test kit is posted through your letterbox every two years. 5000 test kits are issued every day across Scotland We encourage everyone who receives a kit to take part and not ignore what can be a life saving test Television advertising and our practice encourage you to understand the importance of reporting changes in your bowel habit to your GP. IF you have concerns you can always telephone 0800 0121 833 for a confidential chat and receive advice.
What are the symptoms ? | | You can reduce your risk by: |
Blood in your stools (faeces) or bleeding from your rectum | | Taking part in bowel screening every 2 years |
Change to your normal bowel habits that persists for more than three weeks, such as diarrhoea, constipation or passing stools more frequently than usual | | Diet – eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day Reduce red meat consumption and saturated fat intake and eat more oily fish |
Abdominal pain especially if severe | | Reduce alcohol consumption |
Lump in your tummy | | Doing daily exercise walking swimming gardening dancing to help keep bowels moving |
Weight loss and Tiredness | | Don’t be embarrassed to speak to your doctor |