The Evening Times ran an article about figures in a new report showing that women from Lanarkshire experience higher-than-average rates of stillbirth and neonatal deaths than other parts of Scotland. The region recorded the second-highest rate in Scotland with 6.42 deaths per 1,000 births. However it is worth noting that the figure of 7,096 Lanarkshire resident […]
Champions help raise bowel cancer awareness in Airdrie
NHS Lanarkshire ran a special bowel screening awareness drive focused on the Airdrie area in November.
Initiatives to encourage locals to use their home bowel screening tests included events in Airdrie town centre, at the local health centre and at Monklands Hospital, supported by NHS Lanarkshire’s bowel screening champions.
Accompanied by health improvement practitioner Wendy Kennedy, the champions – who have all had a previous diagnosis of bowel cancer – handed out leaflets and spoke to people about their own experience.
Dr Jennifer Darnborough, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health, said: “The bowel screening test is sent to everyone aged between 50 and 74 and it really can be a life-saver.
“The take-up of the tests is still too low – just over 52 per cent in Lanarkshire compared to the Scottish average of nearly 58 per cent.
“Airdrie is one of the areas of lowest uptake. This week of intensive promotion helped us ensure as many people as possible in Airdrie are aware of the signs to look out for when it comes to bowel cancer and the importance of taking the test.
“Hopefully, it will lead to an increase in knowledge about bowel cancer and more people using their kits.
“Bowel cancer is Scotland’s third most common cancer, and over 400 are picked up every year in Lanarkshire. The good news is that, if it’s found early – by screening, even before any symptoms are there – nine out of 10 people will beat it.”
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