As April marks Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Angela Crawley, MP for Lanark and Hamilton East, is supporting a call by leading research charity Bowel Cancer UK, urging more people to take part in bowel cancer screening and help save lives.

Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK, affecting both men and women. Every year over 41,000 people (one every 15 minutes) are diagnosed with bowel cancer and 16,200 people die of the disease.

Bowel cancer screening can save lives but at the moment in some areas of the UK only a third of those who receive a test complete it. Thousands of people are missing out on the chance to detect bowel cancer early when it is easier to treat.

Commenting, Angela said:

“As the local MP, I am totally committed to improving uptake rates for bowel cancer screening, both locally and nationally.”

“I would urge my constituents who are sent a bowel screening test to use it. Taking part in bowel cancer screening is the best way to get diagnosed early.

“If you are over 50, take the test when you receive it in the post. If you are younger, tell the people over 50 in your life to take the test.

“Early diagnosis really can save lives.”