Bowel cancer screening programme restart welcomed
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THE restart of the Scottish national bowel cancer screening programme has been welcomed.
Plans by the NHS to resume the testing scheme after it was paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic will see screening kits being posted out again. Those who were sent a screening kit before the pause in March, are now being asked to complete and return them.
The programme was suspended after careful consideration of the risks, including for people asked to attend follow-up investigations, such as colonoscopy appointments, as a result of their bowel screening.
Bowel screening colonoscopies have also resumed for those whose test results need further investigation.
A range of additional safety measures have been put in place to allow staff and patients to adhere to physical distancing, staff will wear necessary personal protective equipment and there will be staggered appointments to ensure quieter waiting areas.
The news that the life-saving programme is getting under way again was hailed by Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson.
“I am pleased the Bowel Screening Programme will now resume," he said.
“The temporary pause of the programme was one of a number of difficult decisions which was made in response to the impact of Covid-19.
“I would encourage constituents who received a bowel screening kit in March to return it and anyone who is sent one in the coming months.”
Genevieve Edwards, chief executive at Bowel Cancer UK, added: “Bowel cancer is Scotland’s second biggest cancer killer but it’s treatable and curable, especially when diagnosed early.
“While we all clearly understand the massive impact, the pandemic has had on the NHS, getting back on track with screening now will help to save lives, and we urge all over-50s to complete it.”
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