Restarting health services and encouraging residents to have their ailments checked should be a cornerstone of our Coronavirus recovery. This is why I found a recent Cardiff University-led UK-wide survey so concerning, given that it found that more than 1 in 5 people are less likely to take part in cancer screening than before the pandemic.
This week I urged the Welsh Government to fast-track access to free bowel cancer screening for men and women aged between 50 and 59, following the revelation that the phased age expansion of the public health programme will not be completed until 2024-25. This disclosure came via a substantive answer from the Welsh Government’s Minister for Health and Social Services, provided to my office following several recent Written Questions on the matter.
Expert advice of the UK National Screening Committee currently recommends routine bowel screening for men and women aged between 50 and 74. According to the NHS, bowel cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer, but screening can help find it at an early stage, when it's easier to treat. Early detection is key - recent statistics made clear that at least 9 out of 10 people will survive bowel cancer if it’s found and treated early.
The process of testing is fairly straight-forward. Bowel Screening Wales currently sends a screening kit to men and women aged 60 to 74 every two years. After following the instructions and returning the kit, the organisation will post your results within two weeks. Most people will have a result that does not need further tests.
Given that knowledge is key, I am firmly of the opinion that the Welsh Government should take the initiative to ensure that the public are not storing up their health problems by ensuring that as many people have access to this programme as possible. This is an opinion replicated by researchers from Cancer Research UK, who are calling for national campaigns to encourage people to take part in such screening programmes.
By leading from the front, the devolved body can ensure that the current health hesitancy does not become normalised. By reviewing the proposed timetable for expanding the programme, the Welsh Government can start to confront the backlog and begin to offer people a timely diagnosis and the personalised care that they need.
To allow this expansion programme to span up to three years fails to recognise that bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK. It is treatable and curable, especially when diagnosed early, but we will continue to let residents down if this programme is not rolled out sooner.
In the meantime, I urge anyone with symptoms to contact their GP and for people to attend their diagnostic and treatment appointments. I also remain on hand to assist local constituents in any way possible. Should have any questions or concerns, please do contact me on 01492 871198 or email me at [email protected].
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