Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK and can go unnoticed until it is well established.

However, if caught early, most bowel cancers can be successfully treated.

Screening can help detect bowel cancer early and therefore save lives.

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme began roll out in Cumbria and Morecambe Bay in March 2008 and local people aged between 60 and 69 who are registered with a GP will receive an invitation to take part.

They will then be sent a screening kit with full instructions to be completed and returned in a sealed envelope to a centre in Rugby, and will be notified of the results approximately one week later.

In March this year the Bowel Cancer Awareness Roadshow was launched and it is now travelling to various towns with a series of displays, handouts and leaflets to raise awareness of the disease and screening programme.

From experience it has been noticed that many men choose to ignore both the symptoms and the home test kit they are sent.

Carlisle United fully support the Bowel Cancer Awareness project and will be hosting the roadshow in the very near future ... keep an eye on the Official site for more details.