Bowel cancer is the second most common type of newly diagnosed cancer in Australia affecting both men and women almost equally and is Australia's second biggest cancer killer after lung cancer. Australia also has the unenviable record of one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world.
By the time they reach the age of 85, one in 12 people will be diagnosed with bowel cancer. Of these, 77 will die from the disease every week. This means that just under 15,000 Australians are told they have bowel cancer every year, and it has become our second biggest cancer killer after lung cancer, claiming the lives of around nearly 4,000 people every year.
The good news is that bowel cancer is one of the most curable types of cancer if detected early and, if caught in time, 90% of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully.
However, at the moment only about 40% of bowel cancers are detected early so we need to start acting early and be aware of the symptoms earlier. If bowel cancer is detected before it has spread beyond the bowel, the chance of surviving for at least five years after diagnosis is around 90% and most people are able to return to their current lifestyle. Sadly, most cases are not detected until a later stage and so, overall, close to only 60% of people diagnosed with the disease survive five years. The fact is that early detection offers the best hope of reducing the number of Australians who die each year from bowel cancer.
The risk of developing bowel cancer is greater if you: are aged 50 years and over;
have had an inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis;
have previously had special types of polyps, called adenomas in the bowel; or
have a significant family history of bowel cancer polyps.
The definition of ‘significant family history’ is important. You are considered to have a significant family history of bowel cancer if a close relative (parent, brother, sister or child) developed bowel cancer at a young age (under 55 years) or if more than one relative on the same side of your family has had bowel cancer.
Most bowel cancers develop from non-cancerous growths of tissue called 'polyps'. Not all polyps become cancerous and if they are removed the risk of bowel cancer is reduced. If the cancer isn't treated, the cancer can grow through the wall of the bowel and spread to the lymph nodes and to other parts of the body.
While no cancer is completely preventable, it is estimated that changes in diet and physical activity could reduce the incidence of bowel cancer by up to 75%.
To decrease your risk of bowel cancer -
- Increase your physical activity
- Increase dietary fibre
- Garlic, milk and calcium probably protect against bowel cancer
- Reduce the amount of red meat and processed meats in your diet
- Reduce your alcoholic drinks
Que, Jamie and Kae or your GP can help you with information or any concerns you may have.
Your pharmacist can also advise you about bowel cancer screening test kits which are designed for people who do not have any obvious symptoms of the disease. The aim is to find any polyps or to find cancer early when they are easier to treat and cure. The BowelScreen Australia test kits come complete with full instructions, a dedicated customer helpline, as well as an annual reminder service.
