Bowel screening reduces cancer deaths by more than 25 per cent

Source: Cancer Research UK

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Date of publication: November 2011

Publication type: Press release

In a nutshell: Bowel screening reduces the number of deaths from bowel cancer in Scotland by more than 25 per cent, according to research funded by the Scottish Government Health Department.

Length of publication: Webpage

Poor men more likely to die from bowel cancer

Source: Cancer Research UK

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Date of publication: November 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A study funded by the NHS in Scotland, found that a link between deprivation and bowel cancer deaths was mostly seen in men rather than women, with deprived men more likely to die from bowel cancer than the more affluent members of society.

Length of publication: Webpage

Geographic bowel cancer variations revealed

Source: Nursing Times

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Date of publication: September 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Research suggests people living in certain parts of the UK are three times more likely to die from bowel cancer. The worst in the UK is Glasgow, with 31 people per 100,000 dying per year from the disease, while the best is Rossendale, Lancashire, where there are 9 deaths per 100,000.

Length of publication: Webpage

Poor public awareness of bowel cancer

Source: Cancer Research UK

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Date of publication: August 2011

Publication type: New item

In a nutshell: A Cancer Research UK-funded study found low levels of awareness of signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, and also that the public didn’t know that lifestyle factors like diet, weight and exercise can affect a person’s risk of developing bowel cancer.

Length of publication: Webpages

National bowel cancer audit shows continued progress

Source: Cancer Research UK

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Date of publication: June 2011

Publication type: Press Release

In a nutshell: The latest annual report from the national audit of bowel cancer shows that bowel cancer care is continuing to improve in England and Wales.

Length of publication: Webpage

New screening test more effective in left-side of bowel

Source: Cancer Research UK

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Date of publication: May 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The new bowel screening kits, soon to be introduced in England and Scotland, are more sensitive at detecting pre-cancerous growths in the left-side of the bowel than the right-side, as the growths are different shapes. This insight could help improve screening in the future.

Length of publication: Webpage

Over 12 per cent more bowel cancer cases found in over 60s because of screening

Source: Cancer Research UK

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Date of publication: March 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Bowel cancer rates in 60 to 69 year olds went up by more than 12 per cent in England from 2006 to 2008, according to the latest figures from Cancer Research UK. The charity attributes this rise to the introduction of bowel screening.

Length of publication: Webpage

Bowel cancer test approved for use

Source: Nursing Times

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Date of publication: April 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A new bowel cancer test will be offered to people aged between 55 and 60 that could significantly reduce their chances of developing the disease, after the UK National Screening Committee approved its use on the NHS. The new test, flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) involves a thin, bendy tube being inserted a short way into the rectum and lower bowel, enabling a doctor to look at the wall of the bowel.

Length of publication: Web page

Two-pronged approach brings hope for bowel cancer treatment

Source: Cancer Research UK

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Date of publication: March 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Cancer Research UK-funded scientists have discovered that blocking two cell DNA repair routes at once could provide a completely new way to treat bowel cancer and potentially other cancers, according to research published in Cancer Research. The team at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) blocked the action of a protein called PINK1 in bowel cancer cells in the laboratory. PINK1 helps protect cells from DNA damage and blocking it caused an increase in DNA damage.

Length of publication: Webpage

New campaign focuses on benefits of bowel screening

Source: Cancer Research UK

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Date of publication: January 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The 1,2,3 Campaign, launched by the charity Beating Bowel Cancer and fronted by TV doctor Chris Steele, aims to encourage people to take part in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. It includes a short film showing how to complete the faecal occult blood (FOB) test. It is hoped that the film, which can be viewed on the campaign website, will help to boost screening participation rates and reduce the number of deaths from bowel cancer – the UK’s second leading cause of cancer death.

Length of publication: Webpage

Male attitudes to screening ‘must be addressed’

Source: Nursing Times

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Date of publication: October, 2010

Publication type: News Item

In a nutshell: A study of over 300 adults has found that men are less likely than women to be screened for bowel cancer due to lack confidence in their own ability to use the faecal occult blood test.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: The reference for the study this item discusses is as follows:

Vart, G F (2010) How men differ from women in their attitudes towards bowel cancer screening and intention to be screened. Journal of Men’s Health; 7(3), 241-248

Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the above  article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Government announces new ‘Flexi-scope’ bowel screening test

Source: Cancer Research UK

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Date of publication: October, 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A 16-year clinical trial, co-funded by Cancer Research UK and published in the Lancet medical journal, revealed that 10,000 people each year will avoid bowel cancer as a result of including the Flexi-scope test into the national bowel screening programme. 

The government has confirmed that a £60 million investment will enable the test to be rolled out nationwide over the next four years. 

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: A summary of the original Lancet article can be found by clicking here. The full text of the original article can be accessed clicking here  (This article is available in full text to all NHS Staff using Athens, for more information about accessing full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library)