This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, healthcare staff from across the Black Country are raising awareness of the causes of the condition, including potential signs and where to seek advice.
Wolverhampton’s Bowel Cancer Screening Programme aims to increase participation in screening amongst eligible people, aged 50 to 74, and among communities which have historically been less likely to take part, including people with learning disabilities, those experiencing homelessness and individuals with severe mental illness.
It covers Wolverhampton, Walsall, Cannock, Dudley, and South Staffordshire, and hosts new and follow-up clinics for eligible patients at New Cross, Cannock Chase and Russells Hall Hospitals.
Vanessa Nzekwu, Health Inequalities and Health Improvement Lead for the programme, explained: “Our focus is to ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to benefit from screening.
“We work in partnership with GP practices and local organisations to understand barriers and provide the right support for people to take part.”
Through targeted initiatives including community outreach, workforce training, and the development of easy-read information, the team aims to make screening accessible to all.
In February, staff delivered an information session at part of a Cancer Awareness Day at HMP Oakwood, a prison in Featherstone – talking to more than 100 residents to inform them about bowel cancer screening, the importance of early detection, and how to complete the testing kit.
“One resident thanked us,” Vanessa said, “saying that our visit made him feel that they, as residents, also matter.
“In this role I enjoy connecting with people. It gives me the opportunity to listen, learn, and understand lived experiences, which is essential to shaping meaningful and effective support for local people.”
Another recent event saw Vanessa sharing advice with members of the public at the African Caribbean Centre in Dudley.
Attend by local GP Dr Lucy Martin, Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands, it was advertised as an opportunity for local people to take time for their health and connect with other communities.
Vanessa said: “It was a vibrant and engaging event highlighting the importance of blood pressure checks while also providing a great platform to raise awareness of bowel cancer screening.
“It was particularly valuable to connect with local GP Dr Lucy Martin, whose insights on improving health outcomes in Dudley, especially within Black African and Caribbean communities, really resonated. We had fantastic interactions with attendees and healthcare partners throughout.”
This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, members of the public are encouraged to use the home testing kits, if they are sent one in the post, and to request replacements via their GP.
For more information visit: Bowel cancer screening – NHS