Joel James MS, Senedd Member for South Wales Central has today shared his success with the campaign he launched to raise awareness of bowel cancer.
Bowel Cancer is the fourth most common cancer and it is the second biggest cancer killer. However, if it is caught early, it is entirely treatable. Sadly, more than 2000 people a year are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Wales and over 900 a year die.
Last year, at Maggie's in Cardiff, Joel met the inspirational Paul Scanlon, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer in 2022, and has subsequently dedicated his life to raising awareness of the killer and raising substantial money for those charities combatting it.
Motivated by his example, Joel decided to take action to raise awareness as well, and he can now announce that, following discussions with the Llywydd, the Presiding Officer of the Welsh Parliament, posters displaying the symptoms of bowel cancer are now placed on the backs of toilets and toilet cubicle doors throughout the Welsh Parliamentary Estate.
Joel highlights that in the grand scheme of things, it is only a small contribution, but it nonetheless means that everyone working and visiting the Welsh Parliament will see them - and hopefully it might even save someone's life.
Speaking about the campaign, Joel said:
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and I’m supporting Bowel Cancer UK’s campaign to keep bowel cancer in the spotlight.
Inspired by Paul Scanlon and his brilliant work to raise awareness of bowel cancer, I began a campaign to highlight its symptoms across the Senedd estates.
Sadly, over 900 people in Wales die from bowel cancer each year, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Bowel cancer is treatable and curable if caught early.
I’m proud to share that following my work on this with the Llywydd’s office, posters detailing the symptoms of bowel cancer are now displayed on the back of toilet doors across the Welsh Parliament, spreading awareness and possibly saving someone’s life.
This is just the first step, and I have been working with all the local authorities in my region for something similar - placing posters in more public spaces to keep the focus on bowel cancer.
