A new national screening programme for colorectal cancer will be available as a part of the National Cancer Screening Programmes in England following positive feedback from patients.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK with over 40 000 new cases reported in 2009 alone. This new screening programme, carried out by a flexible sigmoidoscopy, is a quick procedure which can aid early diagnosis and prevention of bowel cancer.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy, otherwise known as the Flexi-scope, uses a small camera at the end of a flexible plastic tube to search for any any small growths or polyps. Any polyps found can be removed pain-free and with ease.
A study published in the Journal of Medical Screening reported that of the 1020 patients who had a flexible sigmoidoscopy, 98% said they were 'glad' they had the test and 97% would recommend it to a friend.
Unlike other screening programmes, this test has the potential to reduce bowel cancer from developing and for a quick 10 minute test, it would be considered more than worthwhile.
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