Bowel Cancer
Don't die of embarrassment!
Bowel cancer will affect 1 in 18 of us during our lifetime, and claims 50 lives every day in the UK.
Yet, if diagnosed and treated in time, it is completely curable.
The first step is talking about it.
Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK. Only lung cancer kills more people. 36,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease this year, and upto half of these will die.
Although bowel cancer is not a good thing to have, it is one of the most curable cancers if caught in time and early enough.
Bowel cancer is cancer and can form in any part of the colon or rectum. If it is untreated, it will increase in size and force itself against the lumen of the bowel. There, it may cause a blockage or cause ulcers, leading to anaemia and possible blood loss. It could also spread penertrating the wall of the bowel to overspread into neighboring organs (secondary cancers) and via the blood stream or the lymphatic system. When bowel cancer is diagnosed early, then there is an excellent chance of being effectively cured.
Most bowel cancers start with warty-like cultivation, known as polyps, on the wall of the gut. Polyps are very common as we get older - 1 in 12 people over 55 have them, but most polyps do not turn to cancer. If undeveloped cancerous polyps can be found at an early stage, they can be removed painlessly without the need for an operation.
What are the symptoms of Bowel Cancer
Not all people will have symptoms or the same symptoms. The most common symptoms to look out for are:
* Abdominal pain, especially if very harsh.
* An ongoing change in your bowel habit especially going more often or looser for weeks at a time.
* Bleeding from your bottom without any obvious reason.
* A strange lump in your tummy.
Other symptoms to be aware of include unexplained anaemia causing tiredness or weight loss.
Please remember that most of these symptoms will not be cancer. If you have one or more of these symptoms for more than four to six weeks you should go and see your GP.
Causes of Bowel Cancer
Ulcerative colitis
Diet
Obesity
Lifestyle
Bowel cancer affects men and women equally. It should not be thought of as an older person’s disease. The majority of people who get bowel cancer are over 50, but 10% are under the age of 50 – some even in their late teens and early twenties.
In many cases, bowel cancer occurs without any obvious cause. However, research suggests that some of the below areas could cause bowel cancer.
Genetics
Some people may have the disease in the family and it can be put down to genetics. Having a first-degree relative who has had bowel cancer almost doubles your risk of developing the disease. You are also more at risk if you have had two or more older close relatives from the same side of the family with bowel cancer.
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Ulcerative colitis
People who have suffered from ulcerative colitis continuously for more than 20 years have a 30% risk of developing bowel cancer.
Diet
A diet that is high in fat and red meat, and low in fibre, fruit and vegetables, can increase the risk of bowel cancer.
Obesity
Obesity is associated with a marked increase in colorectal cancer. It is therefore important to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Lifestyle
High alcohol consumption and lack of physical exercise put you at risk.
If you exercise regularly your chance of getting bowel cancer is up to 50% lower than if you don't exercise.
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