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NEWS

28th April 2010

Bowel Cancer screening test can reduce deaths by up to 40%

A breakthrough study to detect bowel cancer has been published in the leading medical journal Lancet. It has revealed that the development of a one- off bowel screening test could reduce deaths from the disease by up to 40%.
Scientists are hailing the trial results to be 'one of the most important developments in cancer research for years' and if conducted on patients at the age of 55, could save 3,000 lives a year and could prevent a further 5,000 people from developing bowel cancer.

The test is a flexible sigmoidoscopy, a procedure which takes about five minutes to perform. This allows the Consultant to look directly at the lining of the colon and rectum and identify any small growths known as polyps. If left untreated some polyps can become cancerous.

Scientists believe the majority of the growths that will cause future problems are already present in people who are in their fifties.  
If polyps are found during the procedure they can be immediately removed through the same scope by burning them lightly or cutting them off, which only takes a few minutes and is relatively painless.

Scientists also believe that by removing the polyps during the flexible sigmoidoscopy procedure the chances of developing bowel cancer could be reduced by up to 80%.

If several polyps are found or if the polyps are large, the patient can be referred for a further examination called colonoscopy. This is to ensure there are no further polyps elsewhere in the bowel. A colonoscopy provides a safe, effective means of visually examining the whole of the colon and rectum. It is the most commonly performed test to diagnose colorectal problems, perform biopsies and polyps. Most colonoscopies are done on an outpatient basis with minimal inconvenience and discomfort.

The research, published in the Lancet, was conducted on 170,000 healthy people by a team at Imperial College London and were followed up for an average of 11 years.

Professor Wendy Atkin, from Imperial College London who led the research, commented: "Our study shows for the first time that we could dramatically reduce the incidence of bowel cancer and the number of people dying from the disease by using this one-off test.
"No other bowel cancer screening technique has ever been shown to prevent the disease. Our results suggest that screening with Flexi-scope could save thousands of lives."
 
The study was funded by the Medical Research Council, the National Institute for Health Research and Cancer Research UK.

The Birmingham Bowel Clinic is able to provide advise on bowel cancer screening. This test is available on a private basis with minimal waiting times. For more information please call in confidence on 0845 241 7762, or email us on enquiries@birminghambowelclinic.co.uk.

For further information about the study visit:  
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)60551-X/abstract

 22nd April 2010

Former Birmingham Bowel Clinic patient urges others to get checked after successful surgery for Bowel Cancer and talks exclusively to the Birmingham Evening Mail.

A grandmother and retired secretary from Edgbaston, Birmingham is urging others to keep an eye on their bowel habits and get checked after suffering for five years before being treated successfully for bowel cancer.

During an exclusive interview with the Women’s Editor from the Birmingham Evening Mail, which was featured on Thursday 22nd April 2010, Mrs Heather Blakemore, 66 explained how she had an operation to remove a strawberry sized cancerous polyp from her bowel in 2006. “I had been bleeding for five years before my diagnosis and had seen several clinicians, but my cancer remained undiagnosed,” commented Mrs Blakemore.

After insisting her GP refer her to a bowel specialist Mrs Blakemore was referred to Consultant Surgeon and co-founder of the Birmingham Bowel Clinic, Mr Simon Radley for minimally invasive laparascopic surgery to remove a 20-inch section of her colon. The nature of the minimally invasive surgery meant Heather returned home after only four days and was able to continue playing golf, of which she is passionate.

Heather is now cancer free, and is praising her treatment: “I was very surprised that I didn’t need to take any pain medication after my operation. I have four tiny scars, and am delighted Mr Radley helped me to get back on my feet”.

Heather is calling on people who may be self-conscious to see a doctor for “embarrassing illnesses” to take the first step – as it may save their lives: “If I hadn’t gone to the doctor my strawberry might have tuned into a plum, and things might not have worked out for me. We need to talk about these things as getting the right treatment saves lives. I have sent eight members of my golf club on to see to Mr Radley,” she said. Mrs Blakemore speaks out as the Birmingham Bowel Clinic supports April’s national Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, which is about making changes to your diet and lifestyle in order to reduce your own bowel cancer risk.

Bowel cancer is the second largest cause of cancer deaths in the UK and Mr Radley and his team at the Birmingham Bowel Clinic provide information to patients, visitors and staff raising awareness of the disease.

Mr Simon Radley, who operated on Mrs Blakemore comments; ‘We are delighted to support the national campaign during April to help raise awareness of bowel cancer, helping bowel cancer charities to raise awareness, to encourage people to break down the taboo and embarrassment around talking about bottoms and bowels. 1 in 18 people will be diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime, and half of those will die. However, it is estimated that around 90% of cases could be treated successfully if caught early enough. By being more aware of the signs and symptoms, and seeking medical advice quickly, the cancer can be caught at an earlier stage.

To read the full article please visit http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2010/04/22/edgbaston-grandmother-heather-s-warning-over-bowel-cancer-97319-26290663/

or alternatively download here.



26th February 2010

Birmingham Bowel Clinic Surgeon, Mr. Tariq Ismail features on Channel 4's Embarrassing Bodies.

On Friday 26th February 2010, Mr. Tariq Ismail, Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon was featured on the popular Channel 4 documentary Embarrassing Bodies. Mr. Tariq Ismail was filmed operating on a patient, Mr. Adrian Hill, who was referred by the Embarrassing Bodies program GP- Dr Christian, as he was suffering from severe piles, also known as Haemorrhoids.

The Embarrassing Bodies documentary shows Mr. Tariq Ismail performing a revolutionary new procedure on the patient called Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation Operation (HALO). The operation, which took just twenty minutes to perform and took place at BMI The Priory Hospital in Edgbaston, Birmingham, is designed to eradicate piles without the need for cutting and in some cases without a general anaesthetic.

The operation uses a miniature ultrasound device to locate the blood vessels supplying the haemorrhoids. The aim of the operation performed by Mr. Tariq Ismail is to cut off the blood supply to the haemorrhoids. This is achieved by placing a stitch around each blood vessel. Over the following few days the piles shrink away and the symptoms resolve.

After just two hours there was already a visible improvement and a few weeks later, Embarrassing Bodies viewers watched Mr. Hill being reviewed by Dr Christian and how his had vanished altogether.

To watch a video clip of the procedure being undertaken on Channel 4's Embarrassing Bodies click the video below:

 

To watch previous episodes of Mr. Tariq Ismail featuring on Embarrassing Bodies, as well as the BBC Documentary "Don't Die Young" and other footage, please visit the Birmingham Bowel Clinic's own You Tube channel click here.

Read press release

The Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation Operation (HALO) is a new operation designed to eradicate piles without the need for cutting and in some cases without a general anaesthetic.

What does the operation involve?

The operation uses a miniature ultrasound device to locate the blood vessels supplying the haemorrhoids.

The aim of the operation is to cut off the blood supply to the haemorrhoids. This is achieved by placing a stitch around each blood vessel. Over the following few days the piles shrink away and the symptoms resolve.

How soon will I recover?

Because the operation does not include cutting,recovery is very swift. The majority of patients are admitted to hospital for just one day (day case admission), and in some cases a general anaesthetic is not required.

Is the operation painful?

As the stitch is placed in the lower rectum, where there are literally no pain nerves, the procedure is virtually painless, most patients are back to work after 24-48 hours.

The British Haemorrhoid Centre aims to offer a technologically advanced and scientifically proven "virtually pain free" approach to the treatment of haemorrhoids / piles avoiding the need for lengthy recovery. For further information go to: www.halocentre.co.uk.