Customized NHS bowel cancer test developed for the blind and partially sighted
Thousands of blind or partially sighted people could find it easier to take part in bowel cancer screening from home thanks to a new NHS tool that promotes accessibility.
The standard test used to screen for colon cancer requires a home stool sample in a tube, which is sent and examined for possible signs of cancer.
The modified fecal immunochemical test (Fit) makes the original test more accessible to blind or visually impaired people in a number of ways, including Braille instructions and a channel that allows the sample to be passed into a vial.
The tool, developed by NHS England in partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and the Thomas Pocklington Trust, is being trialled with around 500 people with sight loss over a six-month period. If it is successful, it will be introduced more widely.
Standard Fit tests are already part of the NHS cancer screening program and are provided to people aged 60 to 74 when they are eligible. This will be extended to people aged 50 to 59.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Britain, with an average of 42,000 cases each year. It is believed that approximately 54% of colon cancer cases are preventable.
Khadija Raza, policy officer at RNIB, said: “Undergoing a health screening can be a stressful time for anyone, but especially if you have vision loss and face the added fear of not knowing whether the test will be fully accessible or not.
“Blind and visually impaired people have the right to manage their health with the same level of independence, privacy and dignity as sighted people.
“The Fit tool will address one of these barriers. We look forward to working closely with NHS England to ensure that all bowel screening information is provided consistently in the required formats such as braille, large print and audio.”
Steve Russell, National Director for Vaccinations and Screening at NHS England, said: “This tool will enable more people with accessibility issues to complete their Fit Kits and ensure we can diagnose cancer earlier when it is easier to catch them. treatment – potentially saving thousands of people. lives.
“Our partnership with RNIB, Thomas Pocklington Trust and Mast (the standard Fit kit supplier is Mast Group Ltd) has been instrumental in the development of this tool and is a great example of how the healthcare sector is committed to tackling inequalities in health field for the benefit of all patients.”