Feb 17 - Colon Cancer Screening Programme Details
The Government has recently announced the launch of the Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Screening programme. Under this programme, everyone between the ages of 60 and 74 and who is registered with the Group Practice Medical Scheme will be invited for screening every two years.
Those who are invited will receive a test kit by post, with which they will be able to collect samples by themselves at home and send the samples to St. Bernard's Hospital laboratory for analysis.
As there are over 3,000 eligible persons in Gibraltar, the GHA will distribute the demand evenly so by spreading invitations for tests in a phased manner over the next three years, based on the individual’s Year of Birth.
Those born between 1940 and 1947 and those born in 1954 will be tested during 2014. Those born from between 1948 and 1951 and those born in 1955 will be tested during 2015 and those born in 1952, 1953 or 1956 will be tested in 2016.
After their first test, each person will receive a repeat test every 2 years until the year of their 74th birthday.
Invitations will be sent out automatically during the appropriate year so there is no need for anyone to take action now.
Further information can be obtained by telephoning the Screening Office on 2000 7025. More detailed information is also available on the GHA website, www.gha.gi.
