Bowel cancer is one of the country’s biggest cancer killers but the Endoscopy team at East Surrey Hospital are hoping to demystify the diagnosis of the illness with an open day in their high tech unit.
The staff, who also provide a range of gastro-intestinal and therapeutic services, will throw open the doors on 14 May between 10.00am and 1pm.
An endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of your body is examined using a small camera. They are often performed when people have on-going digestive, swallowing or bowel problems. Procedures include colonoscopy, gastroscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy.
Doctors and nurse specialists will be on hand to answer questions, show people the equipment they use and let them try their hand on a simulator. There will be videos for people to watch and a wide range of information available, including details on bowel cancer screening and inflammatory bowel disease.
The event is open to all and in the past has been very popular with people who are due to have a procedure and want to find out more about the unit.
Consultant gastroenterologist Gary Mackenzie said: “We know people can often be very anxious before their procedure. They worry they might choke, not be able to breath properly, or they are just embarrassed.”
He added: “Privacy and dignity are really important to all of us. If someone has a problem the quicker they find out about it the easier the treatments are and the more likely it is to be successful.”
The team also runs clinics at Crawley Hospital each week.
