June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and we should all know what the symptoms are and embrace a ‘bowel-healthy’ lifestyle!

Why should you care?

Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world.

Being young does not make you immune to bowel cancer and 1 in 13 Australians will develop the disease in their lifetime with 10% of those being under 50 years of age.

Bowel cancer in people under age 50 is being diagnosed at later stages, indicating the trend in young onset bowel cancer is not due to earlier detection.

99% of bowel cancer can be treated successfully if found early but fewer than 50% are detected early. This is despite 86% of young-onset bowel cancer sufferers experiencing symptoms.  

Bowel cancer is the second deadliest cancer in Australia after lung cancer.

Symptoms to be aware of:

• Blood in your poo 
• A change in your bowel habit  (diarrhoea/ constipation/ incomplete emptying)
• A change in the shape or appearance of your poo (narrow or mucus)
• Abdominal pain 
• A lump or pain in the anus or rectum
• Unexplained weight loss / fatigue

What are the risk factors to watch out for? 

30% of bowel cancer cases will have a family history of bowel cancer, other hereditary conditions, a personal history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

70% of bowel cancer cases will have no family history or hereditary component.

Research indicates up to 34% of bowel cancer cases may be prevented by a healthy lifestyle. This increases to 61% when combined with sigmoidoscopy / colonoscopy screening. People who are more physically active before a bowel cancer diagnosis are less likely to die from the disease than those who are less active so a healthy lifestyle is a powerful choice!

To manage your risk factors for bowel cancer you can:

• Quit smoking
• Limit red meat intake
• Restrict processed meat
• Manage your weight
• Ensure you consume foods that support adequate calcium levels
• Keep your fibre intake high enough
• Participate in appropriate levels of physical exercise
• Limit your alcohol
• Participate in the free, tax-payer funded National Bowel Cancer Screening Program 

We can help!

Whether you are interested in embracing a preventative health approach or you are dealing with the possibility/ reality of bowel cancer surgery consequences, or you need a customized exercise program come and see us. 

We can set you up with detailed dietary advice specific to your needs as well as cancer-specific exercise advice.

Importantly, take charge of your own health. Learn the symptoms of bowel cancer and get checked by your doctor if you have any concerns. Remember that prevention plays a particularly important role in bowel cancer.

 You have the power to shape your own future and we are here to help you achieve your goals!

If you have any questions about how we can help you live a better lifestyle, please give us a call on (07) 4231 9777, or click here to book online today!