• People in Bolton over the age of 50 urged to take up test that can detect signs of bowel cancer
• Joanne Vernon completed kit at home which found she was living with a cancerous tumour
• NHS is expanding the free kit to people aged 50 in England

A mum is urging people to take up a potentially lifesaving home-testing kit that can help to detect signs of bowel cancer.

Joanne Vernon received the kit, known as the faecal immunochemical test (FIT), through the post shortly after her 54th birthday.

The kit checks for blood in a small stool sample, which can be a sign of bowel cancer or more commonly, other bowel conditions.

A week after completing the kit, Joanne was notified that her sample contained a higher than normal amount of blood and was then booked in for a consultation with a Specialist Screening Nurse.

Following this, she had a colonoscopy at Royal Bolton Hospital and it was at this appointment that Joanne received the shocking news that she was living with a cancerous tumour in her bowel.

Joanne said:

I had no symptoms whatsoever. I was really active and healthy, so if I hadn’t had done the kit I would have had no idea.

“After a few months I was given the all clear. I didn’t need chemo and it hadn’t spread anywhere. I’m so thankful that I took the test and caught the cancer early.

“It saved my life.

In 2018, Ministers and the National Screening Committee (NSC) agreed to reduce the minimum age of eligibility down from 60 to 50 in England so more people are now being invited as this is gradually rolled out.

The Bolton Bowel Screening Programme currently invites men and women registered with a Bolton, Wigan or Salford GP practice from the age of 52, and then every two years after until the age of 75.

The NHS will be reducing the age to 50 this spring, which marks the final phase of the expansion programme.

Figures from Bolton NHS Foundation Trust reveal that uptake is lower in those aged 52-59, with less than 55% taking up the offer compared to over 65% in the 60-74 range.

Joanne is joining the NHS in calling on more people to take up the offer:

It only takes a minute to complete and I’d advise everybody to do the test. Everybody. Please get it done, it saved my life.

The proportion of patients being diagnosed with cancer at an early stage in England has risen to its highest ever level, according to new NHS analysis.

Nova Martin, Cancer Screening Improvement Lead at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

During the past few years real progress has been made so we can offer this potentially life-saving test to more people across Bolton, Wigan and Salford.

“Completing the kit is easier than ever before now that it requires only one sample. There are clear instructions and prepaid return packaging and your results are sent back to you quickly with further information about what happens next. Around 2% of people who return the kit will be offered further diagnostic tests.

“The earlier we can find a cancer, the easier it is for our expert teams to provide treatment and care and increase your chances of survival.

People can call the free bowel cancer screening helpline for advice on 0800 707 60 60. Information on bowel cancer and the screening programme can be found on the nhs.uk website.

If you notice any symptoms of bowel cancer, contact your GP and don’t wait for your screening test. The type of changes to look out for are changes in your usual bowel habits for 3 weeks or more:

• Tummy discomfort
• Blood in poo
• Diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason
• A feeling of not having emptied your bowels after going to the toilet
• Pain in your stomach or bottom
• Your poo is loose, pale or looks greasy