Ken Skates AM urges constituents to take advantage of bowel cancer screening campaign

ASSEMBLY Member Ken Skates is urging his constituents to play it safe and take advantage of a free bowel cancer screening programme.

Labour AM Mr Skates says he hopes people in the 60-74 age bracket will take the free home test to make sure they don’t fall victim to one of Wales’ most common cancers.

He said: “Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Wales and kills about 1,000 people a year here. However, if picked up early, it is also one of the most treatable forms of this terrible disease.

“A Bowel Screening Wales test kit is currently sent to all men and women between the ages of 60 and 74 every two years. The test can be carried out at home and in private, but at present less than half the people who receive it complete it.

“Screening detects bowel cancer at an early stage, often when there are no symptoms and when treatment is most effective. Regular screening has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer by 15%, so I would urge my constituents who qualify for this free test to take advantage – it’s always better to be safe than sorry.”

The screening programme is delivered by Public Health Wales NHS Trust, in conjunction with all NHS Trusts in Wales. For more information call the freephone helpline on 0800 294 3370 between 8am and 5pm on Monday to Friday or visit www.screeningservices.org/bsw.