West Middlesex University Hospital is inviting people to visit its main atrium next week (Monday 27th February to Friday 2nd March) to find out more about bowel cancer.
An information stand will be open between 11am and 3pm every day and a giant inflatable bowel will be on display on Thursday and Friday (1st – 2nd March)!
There will also be a cake sale on Friday 2nd March to raise money for the charity Beating Bowel Cancer.
It’s all part of West Mid’s contribution to a national ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign to raise awareness of a disease which is the third most common cancer in the UK for men and the second most common cancer for women.
Dr Kevin Monahan, Consultant Gastroenterologist, explains why raising awareness is so important:
“Over 90 per cent of bowel cancer patients diagnosed with the earliest stage of the disease survive five years from diagnosis compared with only 6.6 per cent of those diagnosed with advanced disease.
“It is estimated that 1,700 deaths could be avoided each year if our bowel cancer survival rates were as good as the best in Europe. Later diagnosis is seen as a key reason for the poorer survival rates.
“Research has shown that there is a low level of knowledge amongst the public about the symptoms of bowel cancer and people are reluctant to visit their family doctor (GP) if they experience symptoms due to worrying about wasting their GPs’ time and feeling embarrassed.”
The Be Clear on Cancer campaign is urging people to visit their GP if they have had blood in their poo, or it’s been looser, in the last three weeks.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Photo opportunity: The inflatable bowel will be on display in the main atrium on 1st & 2nd March.
Dr Kevin Monahan, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Dr Pippa Riddle, Consultant Oncologist, and Petra Raffin, Colorectal Specialist Nurse, will be available for photos and interviews on Thursday 1st March between 1 – 2pm.
For information or to arrange an interview, please contact the media team on 020 8321 6342.
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Dr Monahan runs a Family History of Bowel Cancer Clinic at West Mid for people who may be at higher risk of developing the disease.
The cause of most bowel cancers is not known, but some risk factors can increase the chances of developing cancer. This includes having a strong family history of bowel cancer:
- One close relative (a parent, child, brother or sister) who had bowel cancer at a young age (under 50).
- At least two close relatives on the same side of the family who developed bowel cancer at any age
Click here for more informatin on the Family History of Bowel Cancer Clinic.
Be Clear on Cancer campaign.
Beating Bowel Cancer
West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust is an award winning major acute hospital near Twickenham, West London. It provides a full range of services to residents of the London Boroughs of Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames.
