Roll-out of the Scottish bowel screening programme across NHS Highland
Issued by NHS Highland
NHS Highland have formally launched the roll-out of the Scottish Bowel Screening programme across Highland. The Programme has been implemented in a phased fashion across Scotland and will be rolled-out across NHS Highland on the 1st December 2009.
Men and women aged 50-74 years will be invited to participate in the Programme through completing a home screening test every two years. The screening test looks for hidden blood in bowel motions which may suggest a higher chance of bowel cancer.
Most people will have a negative result, meaning that no blood was found in the samples tested. A positive result signifies that blood was detected in the samples tested. This does not mean that the person who submitted the sample has bowel cancer, although they will be contacted by a health professional so that this can be checked further.
Garry Coutts, Chair of NHS Highland, said: “I am delighted to come along today to help formally launch the roll-out of the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme across NHS Highland and I would like to thank everyone who helped put this event together for all their hard work and commitment to the Programme.
“This national Programme is vital in tackling bowel cancer in our communities and I would urge all eligible residents across NHS Highland to participate when they are invited to do so. The earlier that we catch this cancer the more chance we have of treating it successfully.”
Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, said: "The introduction of the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme in NHS Highland now means that screening is up and running in each and every part of Scotland. Around 3,400 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed annually in Scotland and evidence shows that this simple test will save around 150 lives per year.
"It is important that as many people as possible know about bowel screening and take advantage of this potentially life-saving new Programme. Already, the first uptake figures from other parts of Scotland are very encouraging and I would urge everyone in Highland who is sent a screening kit to use it - it could save your life."
Mr Jim Docherty, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon and NHS Highland’s Clinical Lead for Bowel Screening, continued: “Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women in Scotland with approximately 3,400 people per annum diagnosed with the condition and more cases diagnosed among men than women. It is also a significant cause of death and over 1,500 people in Scotland die each year as a consequence of the condition.
“These figures highlight the importance of the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme. Screening can reduce deaths from bowel cancer by approximately 16%.
“It is important to highlight that if someone receives a positive screening test result, signifying that blood was detected in the samples tested, that this does not mean they havebowel cancer. Approximately 90% of people testing positive will not have the condition. However, people with a positive test result will be contacted by a health professional so that this can be looked into, enabling those with bowel cancer to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible, improving the chances of treatment being successful.
“Members of the public can find out more information about the Programme from the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme website www.bowelscreening.scot.nhs.uk.