The older you are the greater your chances of developing bowel cancer. You are also at greater risk of bowel cancer if you have had ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease for more than eight years, or if you have had bowel polyps. If this applies to you, talk to your doctor.

For some people bowel cancer runs in the family because of a damaged gene passed from one generation to the next. If a close relative (like a parent, brother or sister) has had bowel cancer, especially if they were younger than 50 when it was diagnosed you should also talk to your doctor.

Reducing your risk

While we don’t fully understand what causes bowel cancer, there are things you can do to lower your chances of developing this disease.

• Being physically active is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of bowel cancer.
• Maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of bowel cancer.
• Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit. Vegetables and fruit contain natural substances, such as antioxidants, that may destroy cancer-causing agents (carcinogens).
• Eat a variety of wholegrain, wholemeal and high-fibre foods. People who eat wholegrain and high-fibre foods regularly have been shown to be less likely to develop bowel cancer.
• Go easy on the processed meats like sausages, alami, bacon and ham, as these have been linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer.

Finding bowel cancer early

There is a 90% chance of curing bowel cancer if it is found and treated early. Don’t let embarrassment stop you from finding bowel cancer early.

Be aware of signs that may mean bowel cancer. See your doctor if you have:

Blood in the bowel motion or toilet bowel. If you are over 50, check after each bowel motion.

Changes in bowel habits that last more than two weeks, like diarrhoea, constipation or a bit of both.

Bowel cancer testing kits

Many people with bowel cancer do not have any signs. Bowel cancer testing kits (known as faecal occult bloods tests or FOBTs) are available to find hidden blood in your bowel motion that may indicate there is a problem. You can buy a testing kit from your chemist and discuss with your doctor. If you’re aged 50 or older with no symptoms or history of bowel cancer, you should use a bowel cancer testing kit at least every two years, or better still every year.

Courtesy: The Cancer Council NSW, May 2005

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