A campaign launched yesterday (Thursday, July 9) across the North West is using the moving stories of local survivors to show how a simple at-home medical check can catch bowel cancer early. The initiative highlights the special life moments people are now able to enjoy because their illness was detected at a stage when it is much easier to treat.
Bowel Cancer: A Major Health Concern
Bowel cancer is currently the fourth most common cancer across the UK, with people aged over 50 facing the highest risk of diagnosis. In the local area, it stands as the second biggest cause of cancer deaths, yet around a third of people who receive a free screening test in the post fail to return it. These at-home Faecal Immunochemical Test kits, known as FIT kits, check for invisible traces of blood in poo which can be an early indicator of the disease. The non-invasive tests are automatically posted out every two years to residents aged 50 to 74 to help ensure early signs do not go undetected.
Survivor Story: Andy Chemney
Among those featured in the campaign is Andy Chemney, from Bolton, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2024 after using and returning his kit. Dad-of-one Andy, 62, said: “At the time of doing my test, I felt 100% healthy with absolutely no symptoms, but my wife is a GP so I knew how important these kits are. In all honesty, I treated it as a formality and expected everything to come back clear.”
“Going through chemo was a challenging experience but I managed to bounce back relatively quickly and, by the end of 2024, I was back doing the things I love such as running, cycling and teaching drums. Although my health is back to normal now, I am incredibly passionate about making sure others do their tests – all my mates do their test kits now and I even managed to convince my optician to do his after it had been sitting on a shelf for six months! It is so easy to do and could quite literally save your life – why wouldn’t you do it?”
Medical Experts Emphasize Early Detection
Medical experts stress that catching the illness early makes it highly treatable, which is why residents must return their kits even if they feel perfectly well. Many people delay returning the sample because they feel scared or embarrassed, but health professionals emphasize there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of when completing a routine medical test.
Dale Vimalachandran, reader in colorectal surgery at the University of Liverpool and honorary consultant colorectal surgeon at the Countess of Chester, commented: “The earlier bowel cancer is detected, the more treatable it is, which is why is it so important for people to use and return their FIT kits as soon as possible, even if they have not experienced the main symptoms of bowel cancer. Many people may delay using and returning their kit, because they are scared, or embarrassed to do so. There is nothing to be ashamed of when completing a medical test, and the earlier you do so, the sooner you will know its outcome. Bowel cancer screening saves lives and can help put your mind at ease. When you receive your FIT kit, don’t put it off, use and return it.”
Warning Signs of Bowel Cancer
The most common warning signs of the illness include changes to your poo, such as softer poo, diarrhoea, or constipation. People should also watch out for needing to poo more or less often, blood in their poo which may look red or black, or bleeding from their bottom. Other potential indicators to be aware of include an urge to go to the toilet even if you have just been, tummy pain, a lump in your stomach, or bloating. Anyone experiencing unexplainable weight loss, feeling very tired, or finding themselves short of breath should also seek medical advice.
Regional Charity Leading the Campaign
Regional charity North West Cancer Research is running the campaign alongside funding vital medical projects that tackle the causes of the disease. Charity leaders are determined to close the gap on high local cancer rates, which sit above the national average due to significant regional deprivation.
Alastair Richards, chief executive officer at North West Cancer Research, added: “Early-stage bowel cancer is highly treatable, but only if we catch it in time. That's why, as part of this campaign, we are urging everyone who receives a FIT kit to use it and return it straight away. The North West faces a stark reality: cancer rates here sit above the national average, driven in part by significant deprivation across the region. At North West Cancer Research, we refuse to accept that as inevitable. By funding pioneering, regionally tailored research and working closely with both leading experts and the communities we serve, we are determined to close that gap - and deliver real, lasting improvements in diagnosis and treatment for people across the North West.”
For more information about the campaign and the symptoms of the illness, visit www.nwcr.org/imheretoday.
