April is Bowel Cancer Awareness month and Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Murdo Fraser, would like to highlight the efforts of Bowel Cancer UK, Britain’s leading charity in tackling this disease. Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second-deadliest. Thankfully it is treatable and curable – especially if discovered and diagnosed early – which is why Bowel Cancer UK is working to achieve zero deaths due to the disease by 2050.
Every fifteen minutes in the UK, someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer. That’s almost 42,000 people every year. It is more common in people over 50, but can affect men and women of any age. Nearly a quarter-million people in this country alone live with the disease today.
60% of Scots could name just one or no symptoms of bowel cancer. To learn the common symptoms, visit bowelcancer.org.uk.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“This month is a great opportunity to educate the public about this deadly disease and I’m pleased to highlight the good work of Bowel Cancer UK.
“Due to the nature of the disease, raising awareness and encouraging regular symptom checks is the easiest way to reach the goal of zero bowel cancer deaths by 2050.
“Knowing the symptoms of bowel cancer could save your life and I would encourage people across Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire to visit bowelcancer.org.uk to get familiar with the most common symptoms. Too many lives are ruined across Mid-Scotland and Fife as a result of bowel cancer and early intervention can ensure that this doesn’t happen.”