I would first like to thank the other Members who have co-tabled this motion today, and thanks also to Hefin David and Andrew R.T. Davies, who were co-sponsors of the Spotlight on Bowel Cancer event in the Senedd on 6 February. That event was part of a promise made to Sam Gould by Bowel Cancer UK when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer. On this day last year, Sam was still with us. He was our friend and colleague and worked with us here at the Assembly until he became ill. He died after a brave but very quick battle with bowel cancer. We miss him every day—excuse me.

Sam only mentioned symptoms to colleagues during March last year, and, at 33, his GP wasn’t too concerned as he was far too young to get bowel cancer. Very soon, he was in too much pain, he went to A&E and was admitted and diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. So, he wasn’t too young at all. Sam was our friend, but he was and always will be the adored son of June and Tim, who are watching this debate from the public gallery today, brother of Mim and Lizzie, husband to Caroline, and daddy to Olivia, Louisa and Pippa. The reason I mention their names is that we are not talking in the abstract here. This is not about statistics, charts, trends or someone else. This is about us—our lives, our husbands, our friends, our mums, our children, the people we love, the people we know and the people we are here to serve. 

Everyone lost to bowel cancer belongs to someone. Their loss affects someone—it devastates someone. But, if caught early enough, the outcomes can be good. We hope that this debate today will raise further awareness of bowel cancer and, more importantly, encourage conversations in families and amongst friends about health and well-being in general.

What I specifically want to highlight here is the genetics of bowel cancer. A relatively simple and cheap test can detect Lynch syndrome. This is the genetic predisposition to bowel and other cancers. Wales and the UK are bound by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence diagnostics guidance DG27, which requires the testing of bowel cancer patients for Lynch syndrome, but we just don't do it.

Bowel Cancer UK published this in April this year, in Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. The UK is not covering itself in glory here, but in Wales no screening for Lynch syndrome goes on—none at all; absolutely zero. We know from the event on 6 February that the professionals are beyond frustrated with this situation. They point to a lack of leadership and health service budget silos. I haven't had any response from Betsi Cadwaladr about this, but I assume from the amount of e-mails from constituents that they too are very concerned.

So, no screening for Lynch syndrome takes place in Wales—none of it—despite the requirements and the clear clinical, financial, economic and human benefits of doing so. I find this shameful. If you have Lynch syndrome confirmed, you can take preventative measures like watching your diet, exercising and, more to the point, having regular screening—it's a no-brainer.

Screening for Lynch syndrome costs £200, compared to the cost of treatment for more advanced bowel cancer, with estimates coming in at around £25,000, not to mention the human cost, which is without measure. I mentioned the names of Sam's family—his mum and dad are up there—and his girls earlier for this reason. I know that they have had no follow-up from NHS Wales—no offer of testing for Lynch syndrome either. I have no idea why the Welsh NHS and you, as the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility, are not making this happen. It makes no sense.

I urge you, as Cabinet Secretary, to finally show some leadership here and make this happen. As part of your reply to this debate, I would specifically request an answer to this question: has a single individual in Wales been identified to take responsibility, and given the budget necessary, to implement NICE DG27? Diolch yn fawr iawn.