April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and we just wanted to remind you. Why? Well, because awareness saves lives, as many of you will know. 
So if you have symptoms, see your GP, don't be shy or worried, just do it. 
If you are 55, you will at some point receive a charming invite to undergo a one off flexible sigmoidoscopy here in Somerset - do take up the offer; it could save your life.
Lastly, if you are over the age of sixty, and a "poo kit" lands on your door mat courtesy of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, please do it; it could save your life.

The message we aim to give is, don't sit on your butt, be proactive and actively try to save your own life. It has taken so long to get Bowel Cancer screening that it is such a shame so many people ignore it - and for many, that can be fatal. 1 in 3 people are diagnosed with cancer, try not to let that be you.


We have been researching how other countries raise awareness. We were really delighted to see that Australians have Red Apple Day - clearly, apples are big in relation to bowels! They have a great slogan "Preventable, Treatable, Beatable" which should become a mission statement for us too.


So firstly, please, please do the screening, and secondly, raise awareness. You can raise awareness in many ways, such as;




* Taking part in Stand Up To Cancer Events - the proceeds of which go to research in to Cancer.      Take a look at the link below to see how to get involved
https://www.standuptocancer.org.uk/




* If you have had Bowel Cancer, allay people's fears about tests and encourage them to just get it done

* Support us to support you - we are a small Bowel Cancer awareness group compared to our Australian cousins but no less passionate about raising awareness, treating Bowel Cancer and beating Bowel Cancer.




Be proactive - Get screened, get active, eat well, laugh, live. Many don't