Mini-conference: why don't men want bowel screening?

The MHF is holding a half-day mini-conference on bowel cancer at the Kings Fund in London on 26 January 2011 as part of their project to investigate the low take-up of bowel cancer screening by men.

cartoon According the the most recent figures, only 51% of men take up the offer of screening compared to 56.6% of women. The MHF has been commissioned by the Department of Health to look at why this might be. This difference in uptake is accentuated because male incidence of bowel cancer is around one and half times female incidence (there are 1.54 cases in men for every case in women). When screened on the NHS prgramme, 2.05% of men test positive compared to 1.57% of women.

Guided by an advisory panel made up of senior academics and senior staff working within the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (NHSBCSP), the MHF has been asked to recommend actions that will encourage more men to take up the offer of screening. This event is the final opportunity, ahead of the publication of the report and recommendations next spring, to contribute.

MHF policy officer David Wilkins said: 'This will be the first event since the inception of the NHSBCSP to look specificially at the issues for men. It will also be an opportunity for us to tell people what we have been doing in the project and let them know the findings to date. We will also consider men's participation in health screening programmes more generally and there will be plenty of practical ideas for those working at a local level. We are still confirming speakers but we will certainly have people with lots of experience and expertise.'

The conference is expected to bring together those working in the NHSBCSP, public health staff, cancer specialist organisations and academics. There will be an open discussion approach throughout with a maximum of 60 people present. Book your place now since the event is free and places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.