Pembrokeshire resident, Andrew Lye from Johnston, has created a petition on the Welsh Government website calling for those seniors aged over 74 to be treated the same as their counterparts in England and Wales, with regards to bowel cancer screening. The NHS in England, Scotland and Wales all offer Bowel Cancer screening every 2 years between the ages of 60 and 74. In England and Scotland, you can request a screening kit every 2 years after 74. However, this is NOT available to those aged over 74 in Wales.
Bowel cancer is the 4th most common cancer in Wales. 2,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Wales, every year and over 900 die of it. However, if it is diagnosed early, it is treatable and curable. Almost 60% survive for another 10 years or more.
Andrew Lye said “Wales does not treat their seniors in the same way as they do in England and Scotland. You can get the screening from the ages of 60 to 74, but after that, you are on your own and there is no more testing available on the NHS. My petition is designed to ensure that there is fairness and equality for everyone in Wales, as they would receive on the NHS in England and Scotland. I have already spoken to the Welsh Older Persons Commissioner’s office as the policy here suggests that Wales does not value our seniors in the same way as they do in England and Scotland. I just want to reverse this anomaly and bring Wales into line so that bowel cancer screening is made available as it is in England and Scotland”.
“I am bringing this petition forward now as I was 60 in July and my bowel cancer testing kit arrived in the post, within days. Bowel cancer is personal to me, as my dad died of it in 1995, just 7 weeks after it was diagnosed. My dad ignored the signs. I have been very careful in watching for changes to my own body and when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, last year, I was very open about it on my Facebook wall. It was like a diary, detailing my feelings, treatment and anything else. Whilst the cancer is now gone, I am still receiving hormone treatment and tablets, said Andrew.
Andrew added, “Yes, I am Chair of Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats and I persuaded our Conference, last October in Aberystwyth to support a motion I proposed on the issue of Prostate Cancer and Bowel Cancer treatment. As I am now 60, I wanted to put my own energies into getting this anomaly corrected. This is an issue for everyone in Wales over the age of 74, regardless of their political views. Even if it saves just a few lives each year, it would be worth it. as bowel cancer is an awful cancer.”
“I just want the seniors in Wales to have the same opportunity to request a bowel screening kit after they are 74. We should value our residents, regardless of their age. The current policy suggests that after 74, that’s it !. Everyone deserves to be treated equally, and fairly. If England and Scotland can do it, why can’t Wales? I hope that you can sign the petition on the link.” Said Andrew.
https://www.assembly.wales/en/gethome/e-petitions/Pages/petitiondetail.aspx?PetitionID=1608
“The petition is live until the end of January 2020 and I hope you can sign it and spread the message to others to sign. I hope the Health Secretary and the Welsh Government will accept this petition and end the discrimination the seniors face in Wales. I also hope I can get support from the Welsh Older Persons Commissioner. I can be contacted by email at a.c.lye@btopenworld.com
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