“Don’t rush to flush” is a cut above

5/4/2010

A team of over 20 volunteers in East Lancashire are helping to raise awareness of bowel cancer among residents.

‘Don't rush to flush' is the advice given to people aged over 60, to encourage them to check for signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, which affects one in 20 people. Symptoms include a change in regular bowel habits (such as diarrhea or constipation), bleeding from the bottom without reason, abdominal pain, and feeling more tired than usual.

The volunteers, some of whom have suffered from cancer themselves, are working with NHS East Lancashire to deliver the ‘Don't rush to flush' message in some rather unusual places including gyms, supermarkets and even hairdressers.

The volunteers have trained up more than 30 hairdressers and beauticians from across East Lancashire to share information and advice about bowel cancer with their customers. So, along with a manicure, or cut and blow dry, clients can openly discuss the subject. So far, the hairdressers have shared advice with over 400 people.

Staff at Exphairteze, a hair and beauty salon Accrington, were recently trained up to offer advice by the volunteers. Laura Gaskille, a beauty therapist at the salon, commented: "One of the enjoyments of coming to our salon is having a nice chat, so we're in a good position to broach the subject informally. We hope by talking to our customers about bowel cancer, we can break down a barrier and get them to think about the disease."

Anne-Marie Jones, who works on the early presentation of cancer symptoms for NHS East Lancashire, commented: "There's often an embarrassment associated with bowel cancer. People don't like to talk about it, and many aren't comfortable talking about the symptoms. However, too many people are paying the highest price of embarrassment. That's why we support the volunteers, who are trying to break the taboo and get people to open up about bowel cancer, which will ultimately save lives."

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Notes to Editors:

For further information please contact Sally Davies at the PCT on 01282 644720 or Halima Khatun at Bell Pottinger North on 01625 506 426 or by e-mail at: hkhatun@bellpottingernorth.co.uk.