BOWEL cancer patients in the East of England have been sharing natural images of their faces as part of an online campaign to raise awareness of the disease.
The photographs are now being published locally, as part of April's Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, along with their contributions on the theme: what's the one thing you wish people knew about bowel cancer?
Patients were invited to submit a photograph of themselves as part of the campaign, led by the East of England Cancer Alliances, to show how bowel cancer affects people of all ages and backgrounds.
Their words and pictures are being published online to help make others aware of the need to be aware of signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.
Around 90 people every week are diagnosed with the disease across the East of England.
Thanks to growing awareness, more people than ever are coming forward for checks and taking part in screening through the FIT test Bowel cancer screening - Bowel cancer screening - NHS (www.nhs.uk) by post.
Where appropriate, cancer nurses in local hospitals invited patients to share their photos and comments, anonymously, on the one thing they wish people knew about bowel cancer.
Some of the one-liners include:
·“When I first found out I was petrified because of all the scans and other tests. Once you get started it’s not as frightening as you think. The doctors and nurses have been very reassuring. They’ve explained everything.”
·“You will have symptoms but won’t necessarily realise that are symptoms at the time.”
·“People need to know how it affects your confidence. Life is consumed by it. I wish I could have done more things to prevent that.”
· “Don’t rely on the FIT test alone. If you’re still worried, talk to your GP about a more in depth test.”
·“The treatment at Addenbrookes hospital has been second to none ever since it started. I couldn’t ask for more.”
·“It’s not as scary as you think.”
·“If you feel you’ve got symptoms, don’t wait. Don’t delay, see your GP today."
·“Check your poo!”
·“Stay positive.”
* “It’s not as bad as you think it is. Two years on I look at what I can do. The cancer hasn’t made that much difference.”
* “If you’ve got any signs, do not ignore them. Do the poo test when it arrives.”
Ray Anderson, co-chair of the East of England Cancer Alliances’ Patient Partnership Group, had bowel cancer which was picked up by screening 13 years ago.
He said: “We are very grateful to everyone who has added their face or words to this local campaign.
“It is good that more people are talking about cancer and the symptoms. Early diagnosis is so important and we want to make sure that more cancers are picked up earlier, when it is easier to treat and the outcomes are better.”
Anyone who would like to submit an image or comment for publication is invited to contact: england.eoecancerallianceteam@nhs.net .