| bowel cancer
What are my chances of getting it?
Bowel cancer is surprisingly prevalent in Australia – the third most common internal cancer after breast and prostate cancer. One in 21 Australians will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives. It's more common in those over the age of 45, though not exclusively so, and the disease has a tendency to run in families.
What are my chances of survival if I get bowel cancer?
There's a good prognosis if the cancer is caught early enough – before the cancer spreads to other parts of the body. The important things are to take notice of the early warning symptoms, not to be embarrassed and to go to the doctor as soon as you can. Check the toilet bowl for blood each time you pass a motion.
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
Any unexplained bleeding from the rectum should be investigated – often the cause is relatively harmless, but it still pays to visit your doctor. Other symptoms include a change in bowel habit, ie, more constipation or diarrhoea than is usual, and abdominal pain or bloating. Watch out for any unexplained weight loss, too, and anaemia – this can manifest itself as fatigue and being out of breath.
If I've got it, how can it be treated?
Colonoscopies (a kind of rectal 'telescope') can assess and treat lesser developed cases of bowel cancer. In more advanced cases, surgical intervention may be required. 60 percent of these patients will continue to live their lives as before; the remaining 40 percent may require a colostomy – a procedure that inserts a tube into the abdomen through which the faeces is collected. Some level of radiotherapy or chemotherapy may also be required to help control the cancer.
How can I prevent bowel cancer?
The incidence of bowel cancer is closely related to diet – cut out junk food and step up dietary fibre. Eating five portions of fruit and vegies a day is one way to do this – there's some evidence to suggest that cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage may play a particularly active role in preventing the disease. Try and avoid processed foods and those high in animal fats, and drink plenty of water.
Alcohol should be consumed in moderation – less than two units a day for women and less than four for men. It's bad news for smokers, too – give up the ciggies now!
Regular exercise can also help to prevent the disease.  | 
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