Newham bowel cancer screening test rate lowest in England
Bowel Cancer UK chief executive Deborah Alsinahas has urged more people to take advantage of the free screening test as figures show Tower Hamlet's participation rate is among the lowest in the country. - Credit: Archant
Newham has the lowest uptake rate for bowel cancer screening tests in England, a study published today shows.
Figures from Public Health England reveal that only 37 per cent of people in the borough took up the offer of a free bowel cancer screening test last year.
Eight out of the 10 areas in England with the lowest take up rates are in the capital with Tower Hamlets, 37pc, Westminster, 37pc, and Southwark, 38pc, joining Newham at the bottom of the table.
This compares with Bromley which had the highest take up rate in the capital at 55pc.
Bowel Cancer UK chief executive Deborah Alsina 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 2,000 lives each year by 2025.
You may also want to watch:
“I would encourage everyone who’s over 60 to take the test, and for those who are younger to encourage their loved ones over 60 to complete it.
“It could save yours or your loved ones life,” she added.
Most Read
- 1 Police release image after teenager stabbed in Forest Gate robbery
- 2 Stratford councillor who slammed Boris's bike ride cycles 30 mile round trip across London
- 3 Arrests after girl, 16, falls onto tracks at King George V DLR
- 4 Police appeal for help after woman raped in Beckton
- 5 Doctors urge Tower Hamlets mayor to end support for Silvertown Tunnel
- 6 Trust partnership helps free school meals pupils to eat healthy at home
- 7 Double murder accused remanded in custody over ‘brutal’ stabbings
- 8 Jarrod Bowen hails West Ham as they dug deep to seal victory over West Brom
- 9 Forest Gate man, 21, charged with dangerous and drug driving
- 10 Tribute to 7th Barts Health Trust worker to die of Covid-19
On average 45pc of Londoners sent the test complete it with Bowel Cancer UK predicting that across the country 3,500 people will be diagnosed with bowel cancer - the UK’s second biggest cancer killer - and 1,300 will die of it in April.
Anyone aged 60 to 74 registered with a GP receives the free test every two years. There is a greater chance of survival the earlier bowel cancer is diagnosed.
For details visit bowelcancerUK.org.uk.