Guernsey bowel cancer screening 'proving its worth'

Guernsey's bowel cancer screening programme is working well, according to the director of public health.

The scheme is aimed at anyone aged 60 and over and up to 20 people are being seen each month.

Dr Stephen Bridgman said some of those tested had already been given preventative surgery, proving the worth of the early detection scheme.

The programme began in January after a three-month pilot scheme ran last year.

Dr Bridgman said along with lung cancer, bowel cancer was one of the most predominant cancers of old age.

The screening involves a small telescope being used to look for small cuts and lumps that could be the early signs of cancer.

The £328,000 per year needed for the project was agreed in October as part of the States Strategic Plan.