Beating Bowel Cancer calculates that over 5,000 lives could be saved every year

Figures issued by Beating Bowel Cancer reveal that bowel cancer death rates vary significantly across the UK, depending on where you live.

These latest statistics released by the charity show that there is a three-fold variation in bowel cancer death rates between the best and worst performing areas across the UK. However, even the lowest death rates are deemed too high by the charity as bowel cancer continues to be the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.

Mark Flannagan, Chief Executive of Beating Bowel Cancer comments:

Too many people are dying from bowel cancer, no matter where they live. Deaths from bowel cancer could, and should, be much less common. Early diagnosis is key, so today we are calling on people to take responsibility for their bowel cancer risk. People can give themselves a life-saving chance by being aware of bowel cancer symptoms and taking part in bowel cancer screening when it is offered to them.
The figures are intriguing. It will be extremely important for local NHS organisations to examine information for their own areas and use it to inform potential changes in delivery of services. It is clear there is more work to be done and it is more important than ever that the measures outlined in the Cancer Reform Strategy are implemented locally.

Glasgow has the UK’s highest bowel cancer death rate, with 31 people per 100,000 dying from the disease every year. The lowest can be found in Rossendale, Lancashire where this figure drops to 9 deaths from bowel cancer per 100,000 population.

Whilst the causes of these variations are not clear, factors such as low participation in bowel cancer screening, poor awareness of bowel cancer symptoms and unhealthy diets and lifestyles, all play a part.

In order to help people identify their risk Beating Bowel Cancer has launched a bowel cancer map. Visit www.bowelcancermap.org and put in your postcode to find out the latest bowel cancer figures in your area. The map will link to more information about bowel cancer including how to reduce your risk and advice on what to do if you are worried about symptoms, and information about screening.

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