People in the city are being urged to be vigilant when it comes to knowing the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.

NHS Leicester City is supporting the national Be Loud, Be Clear Week which runs from Monday January 25th to 31st. The week aims to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and prevention of the disease.

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK and the second leading cause of cancer deaths, with one in 20 people nationally developing the illness during their lifetime. In 2008, 50 patients in Leicester died from the condition.

NHS Leicester City implemented the national bowel cancer screening initiative in May 2008, which offers home tests for the disease to men and women aged 60 to 69. Since then more than 9,496 people have received a test to do themselves at home.

Dr Sue Ellerby, consultant in public health for NHS Leicester City, said: “Bowel cancer is a common and serious disease and the earlier bowel cancer is detected, the more effective the treatment.

“We urge eligible people in the city, aged 60 to 69 to take advantage of the home test. It’s completely unintrusive as it can be done in the privacy of your own home. If you have any abnormal bowel changes contact your GP as soon as problems arise.”

Dr Andrew Chilton, director of bowel screening for the NHS in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland, said: “The screening programme is identifying more early cancers and saving lives, but for it to be most effective it needs the publics support.”

Patients are required to collect a small sample from three separate bowel motions and, using a specially designed pot and prepaid envelope, return the kit to the laboratory for analysis.

All men and women aged 60-69 and registered with a GP, are eligible for screening every two years. They will automatically be invited and receive an FOB test. Those aged 70 and over and registered with a GP practice can request a test kit by calling the freephone helpline on 0800 7076060.