REDBRIDGE primary care trust has introduced a raft of programmes aimed at encouraging people to get screened for bowel cancer.

The current average monthly uptake for screening in the borough is 42 per cent, which Ann Keen, parliamentary Under-Secretary for the department of health, described as “low”, following a question from Harry Cohen MP.

But the health service in Redbridge is now working on a number of projects to bring this figure up, including community outreach and extra training for healthcare professionals.

A spokesman for NHS Redbridge said: “For the first 2 quarters of 2009/10, nine cases of bowel cancer have been diagnosed via the screening programme.

“Health promotion activities in Redbridge focus on key areas, including developing and disseminating health promotion materials from various bowel cancer charities such as Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer.”

The health service is also working local groups such as Age Concern to encourage people to come in for tests.

Currently, screening is available automatically for 60 to 69-year-olds, every two years.

Screening will also be available for 70 to 75-year-olds in the borough from this year.

The Government has said that if just 60 per cent of people aged 60 to 69 are screened, 20,000 deaths could be prevented over the next 20 years.