Gastrointestinal Cancer

(asked on 23rd February 2015) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to increase targeted screening for gastrointestinal cancers to better target those most at risk.


Answered by
 Portrait
Jane Ellison
This question was answered on 26th February 2015

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) advises Ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries about all aspects of screening policy and supports implementation. Using research evidence, pilot programmes and economic evaluation, it assesses the evidence for programmes against a set of internationally recognised criteria. It is for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) or its accredited guideline producing bodies to recommend care and testing of people at high risk.

The UK NSC supports the work of the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme which is offered to both men and women aged between 60-74 years, every two years and is one of the first national bowel cancer screening programmes worldwide.

The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme has introduced a new screening test, where both men and women are invited for 'bowel scope screening' around the time of their 55th birthday. Bowel scope screening is an examination called 'flexible sigmoidoscopy' which looks inside the lower bowel. The aim is to prevent bowel cancer by finding and treating any polyps which may develop into bowel cancer if left untreated. Bowel scope screening is an addition to the existing NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, and is a one off examination which will play a significant role in preventing bowel cancer. The pilot was carried out in six sites (South of Tyne, West Kent, Norwich, St Marks, Wolverhampton and Surrey). All bowel screening centres are expected to offer bowel scope screening by the end of 2016 and the programme is on target to reach the Secretary of State’s commitment to have Bowel Scope Screening in 60% of centres around England by the end of March 2015.

The Bowel Screening Advisory Committee who advise on the development of the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, met earlier this month. It was agreed a working party will be formed to look into the implications of including those who have a condition with a raised risk of colorectal cancer (such as Lynch Syndrome) to be screened under the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.

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