Fewer people are undergoing bowel cancer screening because they believe that a diagnosis of the disease is a death sentence, a new survey suggests.

However according to the Irish Cancer Society (ICS), which commissioned the research, this is simply not true. If caught early enough, bowel cancer is ‘extremely treatable'.

The survey involved around 2,000 people who were eligible for the national bowel cancer screening programme, BowelScreen. It found that almost 25% believe that bowel cancer is a death sentence.

This belief was more common among non-users of BowelScreen, which indicates that this is a reason why many decline to take part. Among non-users, 28% felt that a cancer diagnosis is a death sentence, while among male non-users, this figure rose to 40%.

Bowel cancer is currently the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ireland, with around 2,700 new cases every year.

According to cancer support manager at the ICS, Joan Kelly, these ‘fatalistic attitudes' are very worrying because bowel cancer is very treatable when caught early.

"Overall, more than three in five (62%) people with bowel cancer will survive for at least five years and 95% of people diagnosed at stage one will survive this disease. That's why BowelScreen can prove so important," she emphasised.

Bowel cancer occurs most often in people over the age of 60. BowelScreen offers a free home test to men and women aged between 60 and 69 every two years.

Ms Kelly pointed out that 60% of bowel cancer cases occur in men, but only 35% of eligible males have availed of BowelScreen compared to 45% of women.

"It is vital that people avail of this free service as it plays an important role in diagnosing cancers. A healthy lifestyle and a diet high in fibre can also help to reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer. We would also encourage people to be aware of the signs and symptoms and to undertake our online Bowel Health Checker here," Ms Kelly said.

Meanwhile, the survey also found that at least 60% of people agreed or strongly agreed that cancer is their greatest fear. This rose to 65% among non-users of BowelScreen and was highest among female non-users (68%).

However, the vast majority (96%) of people felt that going to their doctor as quickly as possible increased their chance of surviving cancer.

Symptoms of bowel cancer can include:
-A change in your normal bowel motion, such as diarrhoea or constipation
-A feeling that you have not emptied your bowel fully after a motion
-Pain or discomfort in your abdomen (tummy) or back passage
-Trapped wind or fullness in your tummy
-Weight loss
-Fatigue and breathlessness
-Rectal bleeding or blood in the stools.

These symptoms can also be due to complaints other than bowel cancer, however, they should be checked by your doctor, especially if they last for more than four to six weeks.

For more information on BowelScreen call Freephone 1800 45 45 55 or click here

To speak to a cancer nurse about any cancer concerns, call the ICS's Cancer Nurseline on 1800 200 700, emailcancernurseline@irishcancer.ie or call into one of the 13 Daffodil Centres in hospitals nationwide.