Bowel Cancer UK, the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity, is partnering with Bowel Screening Wales to encourage more people living in Pembrokeshire to take part in the screening programme, as only 54 per cent of people in the area actually complete the life-saving test.

Bowel screening can detect bowel cancer at an early stage in people with no symptoms when it is easier to treat and there is a greater chance of survival.

Uptake rates for bowel cancer screening are low with little variation across Wales. Ideally the charity wants to see everyone take up their screening offer.

If you’re registered with a GP and aged 60-74, you will receive a test in the post every two years. You carry out the simple test at home in private and it comes with step by step instructions. The test looks for hidden blood in your poo, which could be an early sign of bowel cancer.

More than 2,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year in Wales and over 900 people die from the disease. It’s the second biggest cancer killer in the country. However it shouldn’t be because it is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early.

Seventy-two-year-old Bev Spiers, from Pembroke Dock, was diagnosed with bowel cancer after completing the screening test.

He said: “I did the test straight away, because of my and my partner’s experience with loved ones. We’ve both lost lots of close family to cancer, so I was more than aware of catching it early.

“I was diagnosed with stage two bowel cancer, it was a shock although in hindsight I did notice a few symptoms. I had an operation to remove the tumour, followed by a course of chemotherapy. If you ignore the test just think of the people around you - your family and friends. It’s not you missing them, it’s them missing you. Think of what they could lose.”

Tony Key, 72, from Saundersfoot, only took the test after being encouraged by his wife.

“I received the bowel screening test in the post, and completed it straight away,” he said.

“I had to take the test a few times and was then referred for a colonoscopy, where I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. I didn’t have any symptoms of the disease but luckily it was caught early.

“I had surgery to remove the tumour and now I’m in remission. I would urge everyone who receives the test to take it, it saved my life.”

Bowel Cancer UK and Bowel Screening Wales are raising awareness of the importance of bowel cancer screening, as part of the 10 year anniversary since the introduction of the test in Wales.

Since October 2008, Bowel Screening Wales have sent out 765,000 screening tests to people aged 60-74 living across the country; 21,700 people living in the country received a positive result, and were invited to their local hospital for further tests; 18,200 people had a colonoscopy to look inside their bowel, of which 10,000 polyps were removed; 2,200 people were told they had bowel cancer

Lowri Griffiths, Head of Wales for Bowel Cancer UK, said: “It’s quite simple, bowel screening saves lives. I would encourage everyone who’s over 60 to take the test, and for those who are younger to encourage their loved ones to complete it. Don’t delay or put the test off - it could save yours or your loved ones life.

“Quite often fears or concerns about bowel screening can be overcome by getting more information about the test. I would urge anybody who is unsure of how to complete the kit, to visit our website for more information.”

Hayley Heard, Head of Programme at Bowel Screening Wales, said: “Nearly 2,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Wales each year so it’s important not to ignore your bowel screening kit when it arrives and to be aware of the early signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.

“The screening test looks for cancer at the earliest stages, when it is more treatable and gives people a much better chance of survival.”

For more information about bowel cancer, symptoms or the screening test, visit bowelcanceruk.org.uk/screening or pop in to one of Bowel Screening Wales’ information hubs.