Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) is the second most common cancer in men, with one in ten men likely to be diagnosed with the disease by age 85. Over 2000 Australian men die of bowel cancer each year – yet it is one of the most treatable and beatable of cancers if caught early.

Symptoms & Diagnosis 

Symptoms of bowel cancer include: 

  • Blood in the motion or abdominal bloating or cramping.  
  • A recent and persistent change in bowel habit with diarrhoea, constipation or the feeling of incomplete emptying or thin bowel movements
  • Tiredness
  • Weight loss
  • Unexplained anaemia.

Causes

Risk factors for bowel cancer include: 

  • Age
  • Inherited genetic risk
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Obesity
  • Smoking.

Prevention Tips 

You can reduce your risk of bowel cancer by: 

  • Not smoking
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight
  • Being physically active
  • Having a healthy diet with plenty fresh fruit and vegetables.

BowelScreen Australia ™

90% of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully if caught early.

All men over the age of 50 should have regular medical checks and screen for bowel cancer using a Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) at least once every two years or annually.

The aim is to find any polyps or to find cancer early when they are easier to treat and cure.

The FOBT looks for invisible blood in stools. If blood is found you should contact your GP as further examination will be required, by colonoscopy, to determine the source of the bleeding.

FOBT test kits are available from your community pharmacy or Bowel Cancer Australia.

Bowel Screen Australia™ is an initiative of Bowel Cancer Australia and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

Visit www.bowelscreenaustralia.org and use the online locator tool to find your nearest pharmacy.