Hospital chiefs have launched a major campaign to cut deaths from bowel cancer.
NHS Hampshire’s Act on Cancer campaign aims to encourage men and women aged over 50 to go for regular check-ups.
The authority is urging people to seek help if they experience rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss or prolonged diarrhoea.
Dr Andrew Miles from the Royal County Hospital, Winchester, told an audience at the Ark Conference Centre on Monday last week that the disease claims 16,000 lives across the UK.
But if detected early, 90 per cent of patients can expect to make a full recovery.
Dr Richard Roope, the GP leading the campaign, said: “The essence of Act on Cancer is to raise awareness about the risks of bowel cancer if left undetected.
“However, the campaign is also designed to reassure and inform people about symptoms that they should get checked, even though these may not always be a result of bowel cancer.
“It’s important family, friends, and those in the community who have first-hand experience of the disease help spread the importance of early diagnosis.”
Anyone interested in helping get the campaign message over should call 07739 340162.
