A MANCHESTER doctor, who launched a pioneering test in the UK, developed in Germany by Mainz Biomed, to detect early symptoms of bowel cancer following the death of his father from the disease, has taken to the streets of Manchester to encourage people to talk sh*t.
Dr Chun Tang, medical director of private healthcare clinic Pall Mall in King Street, lost his father 14 years ago and has a brother who was also diagnosed with the same illness. Fortunately, his brother’s symptoms were detected early enough for him to make a full recovery, and that’s exactly why Dr Tang is raising awareness of the sometimes called ‘silent killer’.
Bowel cancer has the second highest mortality rate after lung cancer in the UK, claiming around 17,000 lives annually. Yet many of the warning signs can often be dismissed. The three main symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in stools, changes in bowel habits – such as more frequent, looser stools, and constant or an intermittent pain in your tummy. However, these are common symptoms of many other less serious health problems, such as IBS, piles, and food intolerances.
That’s why a group of leading medics developed ColoAlert® – an advanced method of detecting early warning signs in a simple sample of poo.
And to mark Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Tang is urging the good people of Manchester to talk openly about their toilet habits without being embarrassed.
On Thursday April 20, the specialist and his Pall Mall team headed to the city centre streets dressed as poops and toilet rolls in their first ever positive dirty protest – encouraging people to chat sh*t.
The poo emojis and loo rolls alike, handed out leaflets explaining more about bowel cancer and offered discounts on his award-winning next-generation home screening test ColoAlert®
ColoAlert® can detect warning signs more accurately than the standard ‘FIT’ test which can sometimes raise red flags during the advanced stages. Testing is recommended every three years from the age of 45.
“From personal experience and the loss of my father, this is a cause close to my heart,” explained Dr Tang.
“That’s why we are encouraging people to be open and honest when it comes to toilet talk. We all use the toilet – even royalty! It’s as natural as night follows day,” he said.
“So, if you’ve noticed a change in you loo habits, or you feel something isn’t quite right, don’t hold it in. Talk to friends, loved ones and of course healthcare providers. Chat sh*t, don’t just sit on it!”
Joining Dr Tang, was social media star Lucy Jane, an expert on bowel issues who positively chats sh*t. On her social media channel, she describes herself as a ‘Stoma Warrior’ because she lives with a waste collecting stoma bag which she styles to match her outfits.
She said: “When it comes to toilet talk, we should all be open. Going to the loo is the most natural thing in the world. Yet, as a nation we seem to be ashamed. Go out there, chat sh*t with your friends and keep chatting sh*t. Learn about what to look out for, you never know all that cr*p chat might save someone’s life.”
