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In July 2016 the Office of the Committee for Health & Social care took the difficult decision to suspend the Bowel Cancer Screening programme due to the lack of on Island capacity.

Since July staff have worked tirelessly to secure an alternative consultant whilst assessing the benefit of other screening options.

Today, 6th September 2016, Health & Social Care are delighted to announce that they have successfully secured a partnership with The Aberdeen Clinic to supply a bowel cancer screening service for the remainder of 2016 while the future service for 2017 onwards is fully evaluated. This partnership is being funded using the money that was ring-fenced for bowel cancer screening. The cost is comparable to having a specialist on-Island.

The Clinical Director and the Lead Endoscopy Nurse from the clinic, together with Health & Social Care staff, will re-instate the previous service and undertake bowel screening once a month over a full weekend period. This will reinstate the previous volume of activity. The first clinic will take place over the weekend commencing 16 September 2016.

Deputy Heidi Soulsby, President said: ‘In addition to this exciting news, the Committee for Health & Social Care will be taking a policy letter to the Assembly to request that the restriction imposed on the Committee by a resolution of the States dated 9 December 2015, regarding the type of screening provided,  be removed.

Whilst I fully support the ring-fencing of funding for this important screening programme, I am concerned that the Requete ties our hands and means we are unable to respond to changes in science and medicine.’

In the first instance, all patients on a waiting list who have had a pre-screening appointment will be the first to be contacted by Health & Social Care staff over the next couple of weeks.

Statement issued by Office of the Committee for Health & Social

http://bowelcancerguernsey.org/1322/

Skipathon

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Thank you to all who took part in the Prison Skipathon.  A total of £93.50 was raised.

Paul Riley collecting the check from Mark Keeling and staff in the Prison Gym.

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Skipping at HSSD

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The Finance Team enjoying the skipping challenge during Bowel Cancer Month in April.

Thank you to all who took part.

HSSD Skipathon

 

Bowel Cancer Guernsey donates Saumarez Park outdoor gym

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A new outdoor gym has opened at Saumarez Park, thanks to a donation from Bowel Cancer Guernsey.

The fitness area, which boasts 10 different exercise stations, is sited next to the playground and it’s hoped the equipment will help get islanders moving more. The equipment, which cost £23,124.00, is  free to use and suitable for people of all fitness levels and abilities.

According to Dr Hamish Duncan, Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist at the Medical Specialist Group, bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers with around one in 20 people developing the disease in their lifetime. He explains: ‘The risk of bowel cancer increases with age, with around 90% of bowel cancers occurring in those aged over 60, and it’s the second biggest cancer killer.’

However, the risk of bowel cancer, like a number of other cancers, can be reduced by lifestyle factors such as a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

‘The Bowel Cancer Guernsey charity is committed to prevention of this common cancer. Recent research evidence shows that in addition to the many other benefits of regular exercise, cancer risk, especially bowel cancer risk, can be significantly reduced,’ says Anne Brouard, Chairman, Bowel Cancer Guernsey. She adds: ‘The charity has only been able to raise the money to purchase the gym equipment through the generosity of the people and businesses of Guernsey and we thank them for their support.’

Zef Eisenburg, Chairman of the Saumarez Park Playground Appeal, has been closely involved with the project from the beginning and has shared his considerable expertise to get the most appropriate and best quality equipment.

The 10 different stations have been chosen to offer an introduction to resistance training, working core, leg and arm muscles as well as cardiovascular fitness. Some stations use one’s own body weight to create the resistance, such as the Leg Press bench and the Bench Press station.

Other machines will look familiar to gym goers, including the Spinning Bike, Seated Row and Cross Trainer. Wheelchair users can access a Hand Bike.

‘We chose the equipment very carefully,’ says Zef Eisenburg. ‘The finish is marine grade to ensure it can stand up to our environment and the different machines offer a varied and complete workout. Combined with the natural environment of the park, people can create a useful and valuable fitness routine and we hope that parents and grandparents will take advantage of the gym whilst their children are happy in the playground. It’s the perfect environment for families to be active together.’

The charity hopes all islanders will use the outdoor gym, but with older people becoming less active and at a higher risk of developing certain cancers, the exercise facility is particularly aimed at people who are less fit and reluctant to go to regular gyms or classes.

‘Bowel Cancer Guernsey hopes that everyone will take advantage of this equipment to get moving a little more. We believe the outdoor gym is a valuable addition to Saumarez Park,’ concludes Anne.

 

Skip yourself healthy at Guernsey’s first Skipathon

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Skip yourself healthy at Bowel Cancer Guernsey's first Skipathon

Skip yourself healthy at Bowel Cancer Guernsey’s first Skipathon

Islanders are being urged to enter the inaugural Bowel Cancer Guernsey Skipathon.

The Skipathon, which takes place on 7th May at Beau Sejour, is being supported by the Health Promotion Unit. It’s hoped that hundreds of people of all ages and fitness levels will skip for the charity.

Teams of up to 10 people will skip for an hour and whilst the aim is to raise money for the charity the organisers hope it will get participants to think about their own health and fitness.

Research shows that people who are physically active have a reduced risk of developing bowel cancer. In fact, the largest studies show that exercise could reduce the risk of colon cancer by up to 25 per cent.

‘Skipping is a great cardiovascular exercise, it’s great for upper body strength and burns more calories than jogging,’ says Diane Mathews, the Health Promotion Unit’s Cancer Prevention Officer. ‘It’s a really cheap and fun way to add more exercise into your daily routine and the whole family can give it a try.’

One of the organisers, Anne Brouard from Bowel Cancer Guernsey, says: ‘We hope families, businesses and sports clubs will get involved and enter a team. Each team will be given a one-hour time slot and you can have up to 10 people in a team.’

It costs £25.00 to enter per team. There will be prizes of Beau Sejour memberships and Beau Cinema tickets for most skips completed in an hour, most money raised and best team spirit and every team that enters will be given five skipping ropes. Participants will also take part in a warm-up session led by exercise instructors and receive free water.

A diet high in red or processed meats and low in fibre and being overweight and inactive will increase the risk of developing bowel cancer. Age, family history and smoking and high alcohol consumption are also factors.

Diane concludes: ‘There will be a great atmosphere at the event and it’s a fun way to remind ourselves that leading an active life and eating a healthy diet can make a big difference to our risk of developing some cancers.’

How to enter: Collect an entry form and pack from reception at Beau Sejour, or download an application form from bowelcancerguernsey.org.

Entry cost is £25.00 per team. Start times will be supplied when the application form is handed in.

Date: 7th May 2016

Time: From 10am

Place: Dave Ferguson Hall, Beau Sejour

Follow us on Twitter @GBCAC #GsySkipathon

Find us on Facebook www.facebook/bowelcancerguernsey

Download information and entry form here: BCG Skipathon Poster 2016 yellow

Download the sponsorship form here: Sponsor form.Skipathon

 

 

 

 

 

La Grande Mare Golf Club – Captains Charity

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Our Committee Member Paul Riley does not get to wear his yellow trousers very often, especially in February.  However, it seemed a very appropriate time when collecting a checque from David Jeffery, men’s captain during 2015 at the La Grande Mare Golf Club.

Bowel Cancer Guernsey was the Captain’s Charity and raised an amazing £4733.01. Grande Mare Golf Club

TRY-A-TRAIL

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On a very cold and wet Saturday morning on the 13th of February, Get Fit Guernsey organised a very successful TRY-A-TRAIL and all who took part raised a grand total of £800. Thanks to the walkers, runners, volunteers and organisers of this event.

TRY-A-TRAIL 13th February 2016

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Get Fit Guernsey has now opened registration for its Try A Trail event on the morning of 13th February 2016.

The event is an off road run or walk for anyone and everyone.  There is a walk/run 5k option or a 10k run route.

Thank you to Get Fit Guernsey for choosing Bowel Cancer Guernsey as the chosen charity for this event.

For further details visit:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/473057992857066/?pnref=story.

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RBC supports Bowel Cancer Guernsey in 2015

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The Royal Bank of Canada nominated Bowel Cancer Guernsey as their charity of the year for 2015 and raised an amazing £12,000 for the Charity.

In addition, we would also like to thank them for their support and help at the Home Life Show and throughout 2015.

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Bowel Cancer Guernsey would like to thank everybody who helped out at the Home Life Show and to everyone that visited our stall.

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KEEP SKIPPING!