It has emerged that only 60 per cent of those locally who are sent the test for free in the post actually complete it.
And now Bowel Cancer UK, the UK’s leading bowel cancer research charity, is encouraging people living in the region to take part in the screening programme as part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in April.
This month alone over 300 people in Scotland will be diagnosed with bowel cancer and over 130 people will die of the disease.
However, the charity has stressed that bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early.
Scotland spokeswoman Emma Anderson said: “It’s quite simple, bowel cancer screening saves lives. It’s predicted that even using the current test, the screening programme will save over 2000 lives each year by 2025.
“I would encourage everyone who’s over 50 to take the test, and for those who are younger to encourage their loved ones over 50 to complete it. It could save yours or your loved ones life.”
To find out more go to bowelcanceruk.org.uk
Pictured above, the NHS DG endoscopy team, who are promoting the screening test
