Halton MP warns residents on danger of nation’s second cancer killer

Feb 2 2012 by Mark Smith, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

SHOCKING statistics which show rates of bowel cancer have been revealed by a Halton MP.

Derek Twigg discovered the figures while at a reception for the national charity Beating Bowel Cancer’s ‘Be Loud Be Clear’ parliamentary reception, hosted by House Of Commons speaker the Rt Hon John Bercow.

According to the organisation’s data, Halton has 60.7 cases of the disease per 100,000 residents per year with 24.9 deaths, compared to the UK average of 46.1 cases and 17.3 deaths.

Mr Twigg said: “One in 18 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in their lifetime and these figures show that people in Halton must take the condition seriously.

“I hope that by supporting Beating Bowel Cancer’s campaign I can encourage constituents to ‘be loud’ about bowel cancer and ‘be clear’ on the symptoms of the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.”

Mark Flannagan, Beating Bowel Cancer chief executive said: “I am delighted that Derek Twigg MP is supporting Be Loud Be Clear.

“Bowel cancer claims a life every 30 minutes in the UK but it can be beaten.

“No matter what the figures say for your area, by working together to raise awareness, we can beat bowel cancer.”

Be Loud Be Clear 2012 coincides with the launch of Be Clear On Cancer.

According to NHS data, if diagnosed early, over 90% of bowel cancer patients could be successfully treated, compared with less than 7% of patients diagnosed with the disease in its advanced stages.

To find out more about the condition, its symptoms and treatment visit www.beatingbowelcancer.org