April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

Street Art - getting the message across to residents in Wembley Central

Giant doormat in Wembley prompts conversations about bowel cancer

A giant doormat appeared alongside the Brent Health Matters Health Bus in Wembley Central Square last week to remind people aged 50 and over to do their free bowel screening test when it arrives in the post.

The striking chalk pavement art caught the eyes of members of the public, with many stopping to take photos and chatting about bowel cancer with health educators at the event. People visiting the health bus for their free blood pressure and diabetes health checks received NHS information about bowel cancer, which was available in several languages.

The doormat art is part of a campaign by RM Partners West London Cancer Alliance and St Mark’s Bowel Cancer Screening Centre to support Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and will be followed by further local awareness raising activities in Brent. This will include a targeted social media campaign and information-sharing via a number of stakeholder and community partners as well as the inclusion of messaging about bowel cancer at further community health events during April.

Through the campaign activity, people living in Brent aged over 50 are being asked to look out for a bowel cancer screening test which they will receive through the post. Even if they haven’t noticed any potential symptoms, they are encouraged to complete the test and return it as soon as possible. 

The campaign highlights that bowel cancer is more treatable if caught early, and that the test can check for early signs that could become cancer, helping to stop cancer before it starts. 

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers and regular screening can help prevent it. The age at which people can take part in bowel cancer screening was recently lowered to 50 (announced by NHSE in January), so for some people it will be the first time they are invited to complete the test which they can do privately at home by following a few simple steps.

Members of the public looking for further information, or to request a free at-home test if they are eligible, are encouraged to call the free helpline on 0800 707 6060 or visit nhs.uk/bowel. People who have noticed any possible symptoms, are encouraged to contact their GP practice.

The Brent Health Matters Team engaging with local residents raising awareness of Bowel Cancer