Cancer Screening Delayed By Swine Flu

The swine flu epidemic has been impacting on other services and has already forced a cancer screening programme to be postponed until next year.

The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has said it is disappointed at the delayed bowel cancer screening programme.

Although aware of the Department of Health's financial constraints, the Head of Care Services from UCF, Liz Atkinson, said this delay is a frustration for them because the bowel cancer screening programme can save many lives.

She stated they had worked many years "to ensure NI people the same accessibility and quality of patient care as the rest of the UK".

Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer death in men and the third in women in Northern Ireland, she explained, noting that if it is caught early and treated it can more easily be successfully treated.

However, more than 1,000 NI people are diagnosed with the disease and 400 people die annually.

Last year, to tackle the disease, the Department of Health set a target of introducing a programme for those aged 60-69 (the risk group), with which it was hoped achieve a 10% reduction in mortality from this cancer by 2011.

Although the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey committed funds to start the programme in December 2009, the implementation will now be in April 2010 because the money to pay for it has been spent with swine flu.

At the moment, the bill stands at about £64m - but the amount can increase if there are more casualties of the virus or further pressure placed on hospitals.

Moreover, a spokesperson from the Department of Health said despite extra funding there remained difficult decisions ahead for the health service, as delays to services continue.

The risk of take bowel cancer increases if there is a family history. However, over 75% of patients have had no previous bowel condition or family link.

Everybody must be aware of the signs and symptoms, which includes a change in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation), persistent bleeding from the rectum or pain or discomfort in the stomach area.

A healthy lifestyle, eating a high fibre diet with less saturated fat, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol consumption and taking regular exercise are elements that can reduce risk of bowel cancer.

(CL/BMcC)