The British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) has called for further investment in the Bowel Cancer Screening programme to ensure more bowel cancers are detected early and treated.
This follows figures released in the Cancer Reform Strategy report showing that more needs to be done. The latest figures show that in England, 4.5 million testing kits have been sent out with 2.5 million returned since the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme was rolled out in 2006. In this time, 17,000 polyps have been removed and 4,000 unsuspected cancers have been detected. However, Dr Edwin Swarbrick, vice president of BSG and chairman of the BSG Endoscopy Committee, commented that extra efforts are required: “While tremendous efforts have been made, this is only the beginning. We need more sensitive immunochemical first screening Faecal Occult Blood Tests to be introduced out as soon as possible, to increase the yield of “early” curable cases. “We would welcome the roll out of the programme to the 50-60 age groups for all but are conscious that these steps will increase yield and therefore workload for the screening teams. We need the Government to continue to invest heavily in endoscopic technology, services and training for the programme to deliver the objectives. “The BSG is also concerned at the potential impact of increased GP referrals of symptomatic cases as recommended in the report.” Dr Swarbrick added: “As GPs begin to refer more potential bowel cancer cases for diagnostic tests, such as colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy, there will be a greater drain on PCT resources, during this time of budgetary pressure. Therefore, the need for continued investment in endoscopic training and quality assurance will be difficult to meet.”
