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Welcome to this week’s myHSN Week in Health – a round-up of the biggest health news this week, and what it means for you
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Bowel cancer screening works, but only for a few
Scottish midwives announce historic strike
Thinking about private blood tests? Think again.
Coffey out, Barclay back in as Health Secretary
Vaping poses same risk to the heart as smoking
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Bowel cancer screening works, but only for a few
What?
A landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that the risk of bowel cancer can be reduced in those who are invited to a screening colonoscopy. This study of 84,585 people across Poland, Norway and Sweden demonstrated that performing the camera test reduced risk of death from bowel cancer by 18%.
Why?
Many countries (not including the UK) invite adults over a certain age to attend a colonoscopy. This allows direct visualisation of the bowel for cancer, and any suspicious polyps or masses can be removed for further investigation. This study is important as it is a clear-cut demonstration of the health value of the bowel cancer screening programme.
How (does it affect you)?
If you are between the ages of 60 and 74 in the UK, the bowel cancer screening programme asks participants to send a poo sample to test for a marker of bowel cancer, a faecal immunochemical test (FIT). Certain very high risk groups may be entitled to a screening colonoscopy.
This study shows a colonoscopy will catch more cases of bowel cancer. However, only one in 455 people screened via colonoscopy will have a positive result. From an economic point of view, this is an expensive number of ‘normal’ tests – hence why a simple FIT test is used instead. Remember, if you notice blood in your poo or have a change in bowel habits, speak to your GP.
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Scottish midwives announce historic strike
What?
Scottish midwives have voted for strike action in response to a below-inflation payrise. The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) denounced the Scottish government’s offer, calling it ‘derisory’ and ‘insulting’.
Why?
The strike vote follows the trend of several public-facing professions in the UK proposing and engaging in strike action. A public spending squeeze has reduced pay awards for many in the public sector, meaning many pay ‘rises’ cannot keep up with the rampant rise in inflation.
As the NHS is ‘devolved’ this vote only affects the Scottish NHS – English and Welsh midwives are to be balloted on 11th November to gauge their willingness to strike in response to their own pay offers.
How (does it affect you)?
Scottish members will now plan industrial action and inform their places of work to allow them to plan for and reduce disruption to services. Strike plans have not been formalised, and it is unclear as yet what the level of disruption may be.
If you are a Scottish mother-to-be, there is the possibility that your care may be affected and waiting times to be seen may be increased. Currently, pending a vote on industrial action in England and Wales, expectant mothers here will have to wait to see how their care may be affected in the coming months.
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Thinking about private blood tests? Think again.
What?
Doctors from the British Medical Association (BMA) have reported concerns about the rise in private blood test companies and their effect on patients. The BMA has referred at least two companies to the Advertising Standards Authority for misleading claims regarding what their blood tests can reveal.
Why?
A number of private blood test companies have emerged in recent years, offering patients the opportunity to check their cholesterol, diabetes or cancer risk. However, often these tests may come back ‘abnormal’ without an explanation for the patient of its meaning, leading many to seek out an answer from their GP.
Catching diabetes, high cholesterol or cancer early on can mean many patients can receive preventative medications sooner than they could have otherwise. The issue is when ‘abnormal’ results are actually relatively unimportant, but then end up unnecessarily occupying a GP appointment slot.
How (does it affect you)?
Patients should be empowered to take an active part in their own health. The issues arise when unnecessary blood tests translate into unnecessary health profession contact, taking time away from others who need that care. GPs are the gatekeepers of the NHS and are being unfairly expected to act on information initiated by patients. This can lead to unnecessary appointments, tests or procedures.
Some companies are better than others, often providing clinical advice with test results provided. When this service is not provided patients are left in an uncomfortable limbo, with test results they do not know the significance of. If you choose to use these services, ensure that a report on the meaning of your results is provided as well.
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Coffey out, Barclay back in as Health Secretary
What?
As Rishi Sunak replaces Liz Truss in the prime minister’s seat, Thérèse Coffey exits as Health Secretary and Steve Barclay takes her place.
Why?
Thérèse Coffey has been swapped into the Environment Secretary role in Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle, paving for the way for Steve Barclay to take up the health post (again). You may remember his brief stint as Health Secretary following the resignation of Sajid Javid earlier this year.
How (does it affect you)?
It’s unclear what kind of approach Barclay intends to take in his new post. Critics have regarded him as a ‘bully’ and hostile to the NHS. His only major act in his previous stint was the approval of a 4.5% pay increase for GPs, but without committing the funds to practices to allow implementation. Time will tell, and myHSN will be watching closely.
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Vaping poses same risk to the heart as smoking
What?
A recent study has revealed that vaping and smoking tobacco have similar negative effects on blood vessels. This in turn leads to a similar overall risk to cardiovascular health. Researchers additionally noted effects on blood vessels that are exclusive to vaping, specifically a cell receptor termed ‘RAGE’ (receptor for advanced glycation endproducts) that promotes inflammation.
Why?
When blood vessels do not function properly, they are more prone to damage and narrowing, which can lead to blockages. These blockages lead to a number of conditions such as heart attacks, peripheral vascular disease and strokes.
The authors observed, in both rat and human models, that changes to blood vessels were similar in smoking and vaping.
How (does it affect you)?
This new research adds to the scrutiny over vaping. Eventually, it may become necessary to encourage vapers to stop due to health effects. This in turn may prompt GPs to turn back to more traditional ‘stop smoking’ aids such as nicotine gum or patches.
Smokers should quit – this is not in question. Smokers should also be encouraged to switch over to vaping, as known risk to health remains less overall. Non-smokers/vapers should not start vaping, as clearly it is not a risk-free habit. Check out our top tip for an overview of the subject of quitting smoking.
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As always, best wishes from myHSN!
