New study marks major advance in
cancer screening
Published today, 28th April 2010, are the
remarkable results of a study, which Cancer Research UK has helped
to fund, are revealed in the national press. They provide hard
evidence that a one-off screening procedure could prevent a third of bowel
cancers and reduce death
rates by nearly half. Given that bowel cancer is
the third most common cancer and the second biggest cancer killer
in the UK, these are extremely important results. Furthermore, we
expect the results to get even better as we monitor the people who
took part in this study for a few more years.
We at Cancer Research UK are very excited about these results, and
are calling on the UK Governments to add the test to the existing
national bowel screening programme as a priority. Such a programme
could save thousands of
lives a year and spare tens of thousands of
families the anxiety and suffering associated with a cancer
diagnosis.
Take a look at our
science blog for more details on how this
study could revolutionise bowel cancer prevention and
detection.
We will make every effort to push the Governments of the UK to
ensure this new approach is available for more people as soon as
possible.
Best Wishes,
Harpal Kumar
Chief Executive
Cancer Research UK