Around 16 000 people in the UK die from bowel cancer ever year. The current bowel cancer screening programme is said to reduce the total deaths by a sixth however work in the journal Gut suggests that more sensitive measures are required. It has been proposed that the techniques can leave tumours in certain parts of the colon undetected and undiagnosed.
People being tested have their faeces checked for signs of abnormal bleeding and those with further testing required are normally sent for a colonoscopy. NHS Cancer Screening Programmes are pleased that they are on target to reduced the bowel cancer deaths by 16% by the means of early detection.
A study conducted at Nottingham University has found that it is more difficult to detect tumours on the right side of the colon. Statistics suggest that 25% of all colon tumours exist in the right. Researchers are still unsure why cancers in this area are hard to detect. Possible explanations include that they grow faster or are less likely to bleed.
There is a much better screening test available however due to the economic climate, we do not currently have the funds.
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