Bowel screening launched on Isle of Man

Fri, 01 Jul 2011

The Isle of Man begins its bowel cancer screening programme today.

The Department of Health is to test those aged 60 to 69 for the third most common cancer.

Those in the age group will be sent a testing kit, with instructions advising how to collect a stool sample.

The samples are then sent away to the UK for analysis, and the results are posted directly to the patient

Around 25 people die from bowel cancer every year on the Island. The Department believes screening could save five lives per year.

The Department of Health is advising everyone who is sent a kit to take part.