Former F1 driver urges islanders to have cancer screenings

A former Formula 1 racing driver is urging islanders not to ‘hide’ from cancer screenings.

Derek Warwick, who lives in Jersey, developed a tumour despite not showing any symptoms of the disease.

Islanders aged 60 years and over have been offered free tests in Jersey since 2013.

70% of the 3,500 people eligible for the screenings have taken up the offer, with 7 of those being diagnosed with the disease.

Despite the uptake rates, health experts in Jersey are calling for an end to what they call the ‘bowel cancer taboo.’

Mr Warwick is encouraging islanders to have screenings to help detect the disease in its early stages.

He has told ITV news what it was like telling his family he had cancer.