'Robust' bowel cancer screening programme needed

Lives can be saved. Families can be spared the heartbreak of having a loved one diagnosed too late for treatment, or others having to go through life-changing surgery, when early detection could prevent this.

We were told that when Deputy Hadley complained that this issue was being 'put on the back-burner', Minister Paul Luxon told him that 'I do not have a back-burner'. Well, the minister may not have one, but his managers at HSSD certainly have.

Let's face it, the current board of HSSD have very little expertise of health issues (yes, I am aware that there is an ex-nurse there) and they must rely heavily on advice from their senior staff because of this. And it seems it just depends on that advice as to what happens.

GcMaf was banned under such circumstances and many desperate people were denied an alternative treatment as a result. Many have since died.

Deputy Hadley failed to understand that many of those turning to GcMaf, and the strict dietary advice that went with this product, did so because they had been given no hope by the medical profession. They had terminal cancer, so by taking GcMaf they were not harming anyone else, or themselves.

Withdrawing access to their treatment was the wrong thing to do.

I personally cannot forgive Deputy Hadley's involvement and what appears to be a 'witch hunt' of GcMaf and David Noakes.

So, Deputy Hadley, learn a lesson from this. Try and show some compassion in future.

Meanwhile, put your energies into battling with the managers and other board members of HSSD to ensure Guernsey has a robust screening programme in place thereby preventing many unnecessary deaths.

JANINE LE SAUVAGE,

Meadow View,

Les Hubits de Bas,

St Martin's, GY4 6NB.