Bowel Cancer Screening Pilot Programme Results
Tuesday 31 July 2012
The evaluation of the successful bowel screening pilot, that was carried out by the Health and Social Services Department between 6th October 2011 and 16th December 2011, was recently discussed by the HSSD Board.
Dr Catherine Chinyama, project manager, said "the pilot confirmed that flexible sigmoidoscopy is an acceptable and appropriate method for screening for precancerous polyps in Guernsey. Of 252 participants invited to the pilot 210 (83%) were screened; a higher update than anticipated. Either high risk polyps or a cancer were detected in seven patients."
HSSD minister, Hunter Adam said "I am very pleased that Guernsey has been able to provide the public with access to this effective new preventative service, which is in line with the 2020 Vision emphasis on prevention." HSSD Chief Officer, Mark Cooke said, "I would like to give thanks to all of the HSSD staff and our partners in the Medical Specialist Group and the Guernsey Bowel Cancer Awareness Trust, whose team-work enabled the successful implementation of this service for Guernsey residents"
Director of Public Health, Dr Stephen Bridgman said "This is an important public health screening programme that will, in future, prevent both cancers and cancer deaths."
Lead Colorectal Cancer Screening Clinician, gastroenterologist Dr Hamish Duncan, said "The new service, which followed on from the pilot, invited residents for screening who were, or will be, 60 years of age during 2012, and is now inviting residents who will be 60 years of age in 2013."
