«Breaking Pic News» Half of over-60s ignore at-home bowel cancer screening tests

Half of over-60s in England ignore life-saving bowel screening tests, a major new study suggests.

Researchers discovered 51 per cent of people sent at-home screening kits failed to return them.

Under current guidelines, patients aged between 60 and 74 in England are offered a home testing kit for the killer disease every two years.

People are asked to collect small stool samples on three separate days. They are then posted back to a bowel cancer screening unit in a specially sealed envelope. 

According to Fiona Osgun, health information manager at Cancer Research UK,  the embarrassment and 'social taboo' of collecting stool samples is a 'barrier' for people completing the test.

Half of over-60s ignore life-saving bowel screening tests, new research suggests (stock)

The researchers, from University College London, analysed anonymous data from 4.4 million adults aged between 60 and 64.

The adults were sent an at-home test kit for the first time as part of the English Bowel Cancer Screening Programme between 2010 and 2015.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland send out such kits when a person turns 60, while Scotland does so at 50. This study only assessed English data.

Results, published in the European Journal of Cancer, show that 53 per cent of the kits were returned in 2010, which dropped to 49 per cent in 2015. It is unclear why screening participation declined over those five years. 

Of those living in deprived areas, just 43 per cent returned their screening tests, compared to 57 per cent in wealthier regions.

In ethnically diverse areas, 41 per cent took part in the screening programme compared to 56 per cent living in less divergent regions.

Women are more likely to return the kits, with 56 per cent taking part versus 47 per cent of men.

Lead researcher Dr Christian von Wagner said: 'The fact fewer and fewer people are returning their kits and that inequalities in the system are widening, is very worrying. 

'There is an urgent need to revolutionise bowel cancer screening because the earlier cancer is spotted, the more lives can be saved.'

Speaking of why people choose not to participate in the programme, Ms Osgun told MailOnline: 'The embarrassment around a stool sample and the social taboo of that, and the practicalities of catching poo before it hits the toilet water, is a barrier for people.'

Due to three samples having to be collected from separate bowel movements, she adds that not everyone feels comfortable storing such samples in their homes, while others see the test as irrelevant to them if they have no symptoms.

Ms Osgun added: 'People also have a fear of the results, some would rather not take part than have a positive result.'

'The bowel cancer screening kit saved my life': Classroom assistant, 63, was diagnosed via the programme despite having no symptoms

Anne Parmenter, 63, from South London, was diagnosed with bowel cancer via the at-home screening test.

Although reluctant to take part at first, due to her having no symptoms, Ms Parmenter decided it was 'daft' to ignore a potentially life-saving kit.

Anne Parmenter was diagnosed with bowel cancer after receiving an at-home screening kit on her 60th birthday. After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, she has been given the all clear

She said: 'On my 60th birthday, I received a bowel cancer testing kit in the post from the NHS. 

'I wasn't going to do it but, in the end, I thought it was daft not to and sent it back. 

'The following Tuesday I received a letter asking me to go to hospital for more tests.' 

After being diagnosed, Ms Parmenter underwent surgery and chemotherapy.

She has since been given the all clear and is back to working as a classroom assistant.

Ms Parmenter said: 'I had no symptoms before and didn't feel unwell, so I feel that kit saved my life.

'The cancer has changed how I look at life because none of us know what is around the corner. 

'Three years ago, I had no idea of what was to come but I am now slowly recovering and getting back to normal.'

On the back of their findings, the researchers are calling for greater uptake of a new bowel-cancer detection method known as Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT).

Dr von Wagner said: 'Research has shown the introduction of (FIT) would encourage more people to take part, with a seven per cent increase in uptake. The sooner this can be introduced, the more lives will be saved.'

FIT is due to be introduced into the national bowel screening programme in England within the next few months. 

It requires just one stool sample, rather than three, and is more accurate in detecting colon cancer. 

Sara Hiom, director of early diagnosis at Cancer Research UK, said: 'When bowel cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, as through screening, more than nine in 10 people survive but when it is detected in the late stages, survival falls to less than one in 10.

She added: 'We have good evidence to suggest that the new FIT screening test – which is easier to do - will help reduce barriers and result in more people choosing to take up their invitation.

'Every year around 28,500 people aged 60 and over are diagnosed with bowel cancer in England. Improved screening will undoubtedly reduce deaths from a cancer that affects so many lives.' 

Link article

https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/05/half-of-over-60s-ignore-at-home-bowel-cancer-screening-tests/
Main photo article Half of over-60s in England ignore life-saving bowel screening tests, a major new study suggests.
Researchers discovered 51 per cent of people sent at-home screening kits failed to return them.
Under current guidelines, patients aged between 60 and 74 in England are offered a home testing kit...

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Dianne Reeves Health HienaLouca





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