Food bank partnership promotes cancer screening

Food bank volunteers will support a drive to increase bowel cancer screening uptake as part of a new public health initiative.

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire said it had teamed up with seven Northampton food banks to distribute 3,000 packs of toilet rolls and information leaflets.

Uptake for screening in the areas where the food banks are located is low, with rates varying between 37% and 55%.

John Sherriff from the Hope Centre charity said its volunteers' "trusted relationships" with customers meant they were "well placed to start conversations about the importance of bowel cancer screening".

Early detection of bowel cancer is known to dramatically improve survival chances, with 90% to 95% of patients surviving at least five years when diagnosed at stage one.

Home screening kits for the condition are usually posted to all-GP registered residents, aged 50-74, every two years.

Sherriff, the Hope Centre's chief operation officer, said its involvement was particularly pertitent as many of its users were "elderly and vulnerable".

The NHS-funded scheme, supported by Bowel Cancer UK, will run until the end of April and food bank volunteers have been offered training to help raise awareness and promote bowel screening uptake.

According to the NHS, bowl cancer symptoms can be "subtle" at first, with people encouraged to see their doctor if issues such as blood in poo, fatigue or a change in bowel habits have lasted for more than three weeks.

Screening consultant endoscopist Prof Andrew Chilton said: "By raising awareness and dispelling myths about the screening process, we will potentially save lives.

"Our advice is to complete and return the screening test when you receive it. Do not wait till it's too late."

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