By Hayley Robinson

Life-saving bowel cancer screening is now available to Swale residents aged between 60 to 69.

Bowel screening aims to detect cancer at an early stage before people develop symptoms so they can undergo more effective treatment.

Screening can also detect polyps which may develop into cancer at a later stage. These can then be removed, reducing the risk of cancer developing.

The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme offers screening every two years to all men and women aged 60 to 69 years.

Those eligible for screening will receive an invitation explaining the programme and an information leaflet entitled Bowel Cancer Screening - The Facts.

About a week later, a kit will be sent out along with step-by-step instructions for completing the test at home.

People aged over 70 can request a test kit by calling a freephone helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

Further information can be found at http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/bowel/