LETTER : Side-effects of the breast screening programme
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr R. J. Aitken
Sir: Polly Toynbee is correct in noting that "there are no politics in the colon". However the media must acknowledge that it is at least partially responsible for this sad situation. Newspapers and glossy magazines abound with articles on breast and cervical cancer, not because this is politically correct but because it sells. Lack of public awareness in Scotland is reflected in the survival statistics, which show that 40 per cent of all patients presenting with colon cancer are dead within one year, compared with only 20 per cent for both breast and cervical cancer.
It is no coincidence that your health page today carries a significant article on a patient's experience with hysteroscopy. Every week I show patients the insides of their colons on a television screen and they watch polyps being removed, but I have never read an article about this in the Independent. Only 40 per cent of those with rectal bleeding (a key symptom of bowel cancer) seek medical advice.
If the Independent really wishes to improve the health of women, it would devote as much coverage to colon cancer as it does to breast and cervical cancer.
Yours faithfully,
R. J. Aitken
Consultant Surgeon
Eastern General Hospital
Edinburgh
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments