AN Oswaldtwistle pensioner is starring in a new campaign to raise awareness of bowel cancer screening.

Carol Ratcliffe, 71, is fronting the Be Clear on Cancer campaign developed by Public Health England and Cancer Research UK, which highlights the role of screening in helping to save lives.

Her picture will appear on posters across the North West and her personal story will also be used on social media.

Blackburn GP Dr Neil Smith also features in the campaign.

The campaign is aimed at men and women aged between 60 and 74-years-old to encourage them to take part in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening programme.

People in this age bracket who are registered with a GP will receive an NHS bowel cancer screening kit through the post, every two years.

Mrs Ratcliffe was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2013 after completing the routine kit which arrived in the post.

She was invited in for a colonoscopy to look inside her bowel after the screening test result was abnormal.

A biopsy from her bowel was also taken and she had a scan, was diagnosed and had surgery a month later.

Fortunately the cancer had not spread and she did not need further treatment.

She said: “I had no symptoms when I received the bowel cancer screening test, but when I saw it was from the NHS, I thought it was important to do.

"I was a bit shocked when I was diagnosed, but thankfully my cancer was found early and treated quickly.

“I feel very lucky indeed that my cancer was caught early, so please don’t ignore the kit when it arrives and take the test.”

Dr Neil Smith is Cancer Research UK’s Strategic GP in Lancashire, is based at Oakenhurst Medical Practice and is also the stadium doctor for Blackburn Rovers.

The 49-year-old, who has worked as a GP in his home town of Blackburn for 21 years, said: “I recommend my patients use the bowel screening kit when it arrives in the post.

"I’ve seen first-hand the devastating effects that cancer can have on my patients. But this is a simple test, it save lives, and can therefore make a real difference.”

Fiona Osgun, senior health information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: “Some people don’t return the test kit because they don’t think they need to take part if they’re not feeling ill.

"But screening is designed to detect bowel cancer before any symptoms develop."

For more information visit www.cruk.org.uk/beclearoncancer or ring the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Helpline on 0800 707 60 60.