Cancer test kit 'to save 20,000'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Cancer Research UK estimated that up to 20,000 fewer people would die over the next 20 years if just 60% of eligible people were screened.

Kits are currently being sent to those aged 60 to 69 in England, with Scotland and Wales also rolling out similar schemes.

Researchers calculated that if 80% of eligible people used the kit, up to 25,000 deaths from bowel cancer could be prevented over the next 20 years.

The calculations were made to launch a Cancer Research UK campaign, Screening Matters, which urges the Government to get an extra three million people screened for breast, cervical and bowel cancer.

Around 35,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK, and more than 16,000 die from the disease. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK.

The testing kit, being supplied in England by the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, is designed so that people take three faecal samples at home and send them off for testing.

Those who have blood in their stools are invited for a colonoscopy, and the test should be repeated every two years.

According to the screening programme, 98% of people will receive a normal result while 2% will get an abnormal result and will usually be offered a colonoscopy.

TV presenter, Matthew Wright, supporter of the cancer charity, said: "Bowel cancer has torn through my family, taking both my father and grandfather. But the bowel cancer screening programme is a fantastic opportunity for people to be checked."