Health chiefs fight to beat cancer

The gauntlet was thrown down this week by NHS Hardwick Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which plans and buys healthcare for more than 100,000 patients.

The CCG wants people to raise funds for research into bowel cancer – and support patients and their families .

Proceeds will go to the Decembeard campaign run during December by the Beating Bowel Cancer charity.

The CCG is also urging people to visit www.beatingbowelcancer.org and sign up for the sponsored beard growing or register to take part in a string of fundraising events.

Dr Steve Lloyd, chairman of NHS Hardwick CCG, said:

“We know we’ve not long finished Movember for prostate cancer, but bowel cancer is also an important issue.

“The website has lots of fundraising ideas for people to consider including running, cycling, baking and selling cakes, or making a monthly donation.

“Although bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest killer cancer, the good news is that it can be treated successfully in more than 90 per cent of cases if diagnosed early.”

Patients should see their doctor if they have had the following symptoms for three or more weeks:

A change in bowel habit

Bleeding from the bottom or blood in poo.

Other symptoms include a lump in the tummy or unexplained weight loss.

For advice on bowel cancer, call 08450 719 301 or email [email protected].