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Bowel cancer awareness

Nurses Carmel Rasheed and Maria WalsheBowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK and the second most common cause of cancer death. Over 37,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, that’s one every 15 minutes and 16,000 people die each year, that’s one every 30 minutes.

Bowel cancer is highly treatable and on Tuesday 27 April The Whittington held a bowel cancer awareness stand where the public and staff could talk to trained staff and take information brochures. There are several symptoms such as:

  • A change in normal bowel habit lasting four weeks or more
  • Bleeding from the anus and/or blood in feaces
  • Unexplained extreme tiredness and/or unexplained weight loss
  • A pain and/or lump in your abdomen (tummy)

    Most of the time these won’t be symptoms of bowel cancer, however it is important to have them checked. People can enquire into being screened by going to http://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/ or calling the bowel cancer advisory service on 0800 840 3540. There is a bowel screening programme for 60-74 year olds in England. Most diagnosed cases – 97 per cent – are from people aged 50 and over.

    There are also several things you can do to help ensure you remain as healthy as possible and as well protected against bowel cancer as possible. These include:

  • Healthy eating - diets that are high in red meat and low in fibre can add to the risk of bowel cancer
  • Drinking and smoking also increase the risk of bowel cancer
  • Having a bowel disease may increase the risk of developing bowel cancer
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Get to know your bowel habits, so you can spot any changes

    This information is gratefully received from the Bowel Cancer UK organisation.

    If you would like further information please click the following link http://www.checkit.org.uk/.

    • Last updated28 Apr 2010