News

Boost for UK bowel cancer screening

5 Oct 2010

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has announced £60m over the next four years to introduce the latest cancer screening technology, reported BBC News. It said that better bowel cancer screening using a technique called flexible sigmoidoscopy could save 3,000 lives a year. The technique is being considered for inclusion as part of the existing screening programme, which began in 2006. The BBC reported that Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said pilot schemes will begin next spring, subject to approval by the UK National Screening Committee. Screening plays an important part in the fight against bowel cancer because the earlier the cancer is diagnosed the greater the chance of achieving a complete cure.

Source: NHS