Screening initiative launched

The Women’s Resource and Development Agency’s (WRDA) ground-breaking online screening awareness programme was originally developed to help tackle inequalities in the uptake of cancer screening as those living in deprived circumstances may be less likely to attend.

The programme is for both groups and individuals and can be accessed in three ways: through scheduled group Zoom sessions; through a pre-recorded webinar and through a short animated video.

The aim is to raise awareness, explore and address fears surrounding bowel cancer screening and encourage people to use the new test kit when it is sent to them.

The Northern Ireland Bowel Cancer Screening programme is open to men and women aged 60-74.

Eligible individuals are posted out a test kit which they can complete at home in private. This screening test looks for small amounts of blood within an individual’s bowel motion. If blood is detected within the test, further investigations are recommended. The aim of bowel screening is to help find bowel cancer early, when it is easier to treat. For more information visit www.wrda.net/breast-cervical-and-bowel-screening-awareness-programme/