Bowel cancer no laughing matter for GP surgeries in Bournemouth
In the year 2024/25, 128 men in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole were diagnosed with bowel cancer. Half of those men were found to have bowel cancer at a late stage. Now, Bournemouth GP practices are using comedy to start a serious conversation about screening.
Central Bournemouth Primary Care Network is holding a special evening for men to learn more about bowel cancer screening and staying healthy. The event, called Men’s Night Out, aims to make it easier for men to talk about their health in a relaxed and friendly way.
This event is just for men, as men in this area of Dorset have some of the lowest bowel screening uptake rates. By encouraging more men to take part, Central Bournemouth Primary Care Network hopes to save lives through earlier diagnosis.
The event will take place on Tuesday 28 October, starting at 6pm, at Townsend Community Centre, Jewel Road, Bournemouth, BH8 0LT. There will be no screening tests on the night, but men will be able to sign up for the NHS bowel screening programme and find out how to do the test at home.
Men aged 50 to 74 who are patients at James Fisher Medical Centre, Moordown Medical Centre, the Panton Practice, or St Albans Medical Centre are invited to attend. If someone needs a carer to come with them, the carer doesn’t need to be registered with the practice.
Finding bowel cancer early saves lives. In England, about 90% of people diagnosed at stage 1 will live for five years or more, compared to only 10% for those diagnosed at stage 4.
The Men’s Night Out will include live comedy, short talks from the Dorset Bowel Screening team, and advice from LiveWell Dorset, With You, and Cancer Matters Wessex. Guests can enjoy alcohol-free beers, ciders and lagers, along with healthy snacks, proving that taking care of yourself can still be fun.
There are 60 tickets available, and organisers expect them to go quickly.
Sarah Gallagher, a social prescriber at GP surgeries in Bournemouth said, “We hope the evening will encourage more men to take up screening. Even if half of those attending go on to do the test, it could help save lives, not just theirs, but their families’ too.”
The Men’s Night Out marks a first-of-its-kind approach in Dorset, combining health education with entertainment in a way designed to break down barriers and spark conversations.
Tesco Castle Lane are supporting the event by donating alcohol-free drinks for attendees to enjoy. The organisers are also calling on any other local businesses and community partners to get involved by contributing healthy snacks.
For more information, please contact: Sarah Gallagher, Mobile 07576 224146, Email: sarah.gallagher@dorsetgp.nhs.uk
