Bowel Cancer Awareness

April is Bowel cancer awareness month

Bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK, and there were 41,265 people diagnosed with it in 2014. As with most forms of cancer there are many risk factors. Spotting the symptoms early can mean a full recovery

What is bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer is the common term for cancer which starts in the colon or rectum. This type of cancer is more common in older people (about nine out of 10 people with bowel cancer are over 60). However, it’s important to be aware that it can occur at any age and is, in fact, second only to lung cancer in causing cancer-related deaths in the UK. 

Symptoms of bowel cancer

Identifying bowel cancer warning signs early can go a long way to ensuring successful treatment. Common things to look out for include:

·         Any change in bowel habit– If you need to go to the toilet more frequently, or your faeces is looser, this could be a sign of bowel cancer

·         Blood in stool– Coupled with the above, this is one of the most common signs of bowel cancer. You should see your GP immediately if this occurs

·         Abdominal pain– Are you experiencing persistent tummy pain or discomfort, especially after eating? It’s best to get this looked at as soon as you can

·         Anaemia– This can cause fatigue and paleness of skin due to a lack of red blood cells and can result from rectal bleeding which is otherwise unnoticeable

It is important to remember that though these symptoms could all point to a possible case of bowel cancer, they also can also result from many non-life-threatening illnesses, such as haemorrhoids (piles) or food poisoning.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, don’t panic, but make an appointment to see your GP straight away. More than 90% of people survive from bowel cancer for five years or more if it’s caught early enough.

Bowel cancer screening

Bowel cancer screening is a way of detecting bowel cancer at an earlier stage which can massively increase the chances of survival. Screening is important because it can detect cancer before it causes any obvious symptoms.

The FOB (faecal occult blood) test is offered to all men and women aged 60-74. A free home test kit is sent through the post every two years. This should be returned to the NHS who then tests for traces of blood in the sample.

Bowel scope screening is an additional one-off test offered to men and women from the age of 55. A camera and light on a flexible tube is used to detect small growths, called polyps, which may turn into cancer.

Reducing the risk of bowel cancer

Diet

You can reduce your risk of bowel cancer by taking some simple steps to improve your diet.

·         Avoid processed meat and limit red meat

·         Eat plenty of fibre from wholegrains, pulses, veg and fruit

·         Be a healthy body weight

Red and processed meat

There is strong evidence that eating processed meat and a lot of red meat increases your risk of bowel cancer. To reduce your risk, limit how much red meat you eat and avoid processed meats as much as possible.

Red meat includes beef, lamb, pork and goat. If you choose to eat red meat, you do not need to stop but limit the amount you eat to 500g or less (cooked weight) per week. 500g of cooked red meat is about the same as 700g of raw red meat. Eating more than this may increase your risk of bowel cancer.

How much is that?

·         One portion of spaghetti Bolognese contains about 140g of cooked minced beef

·         One cooked medium pork chop is about 90g

·         One cooked medium steak is around 145g

Red meat is a good source of protein but you can also get protein from many other foods such as fish, poultry, beans, lentils, tofu and eggs. You could try using chickpeas or beans to replace some or all of the meat in Bolognese or chilli recipes. As well as being a great source of protein, they are high in fibre too.

Avoid processed meats such as bacon, ham, sausages and salami as much as possible. Processed meat is preserved by smoking, curing, salting or by adding preservatives. Choose them as an occasional treat rather than every day. Hamburgers and minced meats only count as processed meat if they have been preserved with salt and chemical additives.

Fibre

Fibre is an important part of a bowel healthy diet and is very important in reducing your risk of bowel cancer. Fibre keeps everything moving easily through your digestive system, adds bulk to your waste (poo) and makes it easier to travel through the bowel.

There are two types of fibre:

Insoluble fibre bulks up poo and helps it move through the gut more quickly. This may help prevent constipation. Good sources of insoluble fibre include wholegrains such as brown rice, wheat and spelt as well as nuts, seeds, potatoes in skins and dried figs.

Soluble fibre dissolves in water and forms a gel in the gut. This helps to keep poo soft, making it easier to pass. It can also help lower your cholesterol. Good sources of soluble fibre include oats, barley, beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, apples and carrots. You should try to eat at least 30g of fibre every day.

Eating foods high in fibre will help you feel fuller for longer. This may help if you are trying to lose weight.

Vegetables and fruit may also help to protect against bowel cancer because they contain antioxidants which help to delay or prevent cell damage. Try to eat at least five portions of vegetables and fruit every day. This useful guide shows how you can get your five-a-day.

If you want to increase the amount of fibre in your diet, you should do so slowly, especially nuts and beans. If you find that too much fibre causes pain, wind or bloating, reduce it by a small amount until your body adjusts and gradually increase it over time.

People with existing bowel conditions or a history of bowel cancer may not be able to tolerate some high fibre foods.

Keep hydrated

We need to drink about 1.6 to 2 litres (6-8 glasses) of fluid every day to stop us getting dehydrated. Water and low fat milk are great choices. Avoid sugary drinks such as cola, lemonade, fruit squash with added sugar and fruit juices (one small glass of fruit juice per day is enough). Fibre and water are a great combination for good bowel health.