Speedy bowel cancer analysis will save lives

Extra funds for detecting disease in Scotland welcomed

- By Katrine Bussey

Rimmer with his wife post treatment

EXTRA funding is being given in Scotland to speed up diagnosis for a common cancer that will help give patients the “very best chance of recovery”.

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, it is the fourth most-common form of the disease in the country and is responsible for 11% of its cancer deaths.

Under the changes, patients will be able to have multiple tests done at the same time, where clinically appropriate. This should reduce the number of hospital visits and speed up the time it takes to get a diagnosis.

It has been made possible with money from the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early programme.

Among those who have welcomed the news is Nick Rimmer from Crieff, who believes his early diagnosis of bowel cancer helped save his life.