2 weeks Ago
To mark Bowel Cancer Awareness Month this April, Professor James East, gastroenterologist and medical director for Welbeck Health Partners, is on a mission to break the taboo. He wants to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and prevention. Professor East said: "My colleagues in the states are amazed by how many British people in their 50s haven’t had a colonoscopy.
"In the US, at a dinner party with guests aged 45 and older, it’s not uncommon for screening to be discussed while people are enjoying dessert. "That doesn’t happen in the UK, and I want to change that." The survival rate for bowel cancer is 90 per cent when detected at stage one, but this can drop to less than 20 per cent when found at stage four.
Screening can identify bowel cancer in its early stages or even before it develops, offering a key opportunity for prevention. Professor East said: "Bowel cancer develops from precancerous polyps. "This process can take 10 to 15 years - that gives us a long window to detect and remove them before they turn into cancer.
" He also highlighted the importance of a healthy lifestyle in reducing the risk of bowel cancer. He continued: "A Mediterranean-style diet rich in fish, chicken, vegetables, olive oil, and nuts can help lower bowel cancer risk. "Exercise is associated with a reduced risk of bowel cancer too.
" In England, the NHS offers faecal immunochemical (FIT) test screening every two years for people aged 50 to 74 to detect blood in the stool, a possible sign of bowel cancer. Some countries, like the US and Germany, prioritise colonoscopy as their primary screening tool because it allows for the removal of precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer. Professor East said each screening option has it "pro and cons," adding: "If you want to be proactive, you can copy our friends across the pond and have a colonoscopy at 45.
"It’s a straightforward, safe test which can give you reassurance for up to 10 years. A colonoscopy shouldn’t be a bad experience these days. "With modern equipment and sedation, patients are comfortable, and the process can be completed within half an hour, depending upon the complexity of the examination.
” Welbeck Health Partners is investing more than £30 million into its Oxford site, set to open in 2026. The centre will offer a comprehensive suite of medical services and cater to 12 specialties including digestive health, heart health, lung health, and genetics..
