Charity buys new cancer diagnostic equipment

Tuesday 22 October 2019

Bowel Cancer Guernsey has invested in new diagnostic equipment for the Medical Specialist Group.

The charity, which was established in 2012, has donated various pieces of equipment over the years to help in the screening process and detection of bowel cancer.

The latest edition is a long colonoscope, which will be used examine people with an extra-long colon - a condition which is fairly common in elderly people.

"We are very grateful to Bowel Cancer Guernsey for purchasing this much-needed piece of equipment," said MSG Gastroenterologist, Dr Hamish Duncan. "Having the long colonoscope means that we are more likely to improve complete colonoscopy rates in people with very long colons. It'll allow us to pick up potentially missed right-sided colonic lesions which we might not find with a standard-length colonoscope.

Pictured: Bowel cancer symptoms.

"I now try to use the long colonoscope for older patients, because as we get older our colons tend to get longer and more tortuous. We are now looking into trying to get a second long colonoscope to increase completion rates for those patients with extra-long colons."

2019 has been a year of progression for the charity, with the launch of Faecal Immunochemical Testing which was made possible thanks to donations.

"We're always happy to help ensure that doctors have access to the equipment they need to help with early detection and treatment of bowel cancer in the Bailiwick," added Chairperson of Bowel Cancer Guernsey, Anne Brouard.

"When we were told that the MSG needed a long colonoscope we didn't think twice about purchasing one for them. Having to undergo a colonoscopy is never a pleasant experience, so it's important that as much of the colon is examined a the time - something that is now possible for all thanks to this new equipment."