Plea for screening programme to stop bowel cancer

A disease that claims nearly 1,000 Irish lives every year could be stopped in its tracks if the Government acts now, a leading medic said today.

At a major conference in Dublin campaigners called for the roll-out of a screening programme for colorectal cancer proposed by the state during the summer.

Colorectal, or bowel, cancer kills an average 930 people a year, 12% of all cancer deaths.

Incidence rates are among the highest in Europe, with around 1,821 new cases diagnosed annually, including 1,029 males and 792 females.

However, the Irish Cancer Society warns if caught in time prognosis is good, possibly reducing deaths by over 30%.

Professor Colm Ó Mórain, of the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght, told the convention of 150 healthcare professionals that survival rate lessens as time goes by.

“The five-year survival rate for stage-one colorectal cancer is 95%, which goes down to 70% for stage-two colorectal cancer,” he said.

“Colorectal cancer develops from a polyp over 10 to 15 years and a polyp can be detected at an early stage.

“We therefore welcome the commitment made by the Government to roll out a screening programme as this will aid early detection and promote longer-term survival rates.

“However, there are many decisions to be made on which faecal occult blood test (FOBT) should be used, which age groups should be initially prioritised, at what intervals screening should take place, how many screening centres will be required and what follow-up tests should be carried out for those with a positive FOBT.

“Overall, however, FOBT has been shown to reduce mortality from colorectal cancer by 14% to 33%.”

Figures from the National Cancer Registry found the average lifetime risk of developing bowel cancer is 11.7% in men and 7.42% in women.

Risk factors for development include age, smoking, family history, having polyps (abnormal growths of tissue in the lining of the bowel), a high-fat and low-fruit diet, lack of physical activity, obesity and alcohol.

In June the Government announced that it would establish a colorectal cancer screening programme, which would encompass population screening and screening of high-risk individuals.

However, it gave no timeline as to when the roll-out would happen.

Symptoms to be aware of are a change in bowel habits lasting more than a month, bleeding from the back passage, regular feelings of trapped wind or fullness, pain or discomfort in the stomach area or back passage, weight loss for no apparent reason and ongoing tiredness or weakness.

Emer O’Kane of the Irish Cancer Society, which hosted the event, added: “We all need to understand the risk factors for the development of bowel cancer and warning signs and be 'bowel-aware’ and in the absence of a screening programme, people should consult their GP for advice on screening if they have a family history of bowel cancer or polyps.”