Bowel cancer awareness month runs throughout April

Spotting the symptoms can save your life!

That is the message from medical experts supporting Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, which runs throughout April.

It is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer - claiming a life every 30 minutes yet bowel cancer spotted early can be successfully treated in over 90% of cases.

Consultant Gastroenterologist Dr King is calling on people to recognise the symptoms so they are able to act quickly if they spot anything out of the ordinary. He stresses that early treatment could mean the difference between life and death.

Dr King, who has regular clinics at Spire Harpenden, added that people between the age of 60 and 74 have a free test kit sent to their homes every two years to screen for the disease. A second screening programme, not yet fully rolled out, is called ‘Bowel Scope’ and offers a one off lower bowel examination aged 55.But figures from Bowel Cancer UK say that only just over half  of people who receive an invitation for  screening actually go on to complete it.

“That means a vast number of people are just not being tested. Screening can detect bowel cancer before any symptoms appear which means it is much easier to treat and success rates are very high. However, if you haven’t been screened you risk being diagnosed at a later stage of the disease”

Figures provided by Cancer Research show that over 93 per cent of people diagnosed with bowel cancer at an early stage survive for at least five years compared with less than 7% of those diagnosed at a late stage.

“There is an increasing incidence in patients below the national screening age so it pays for everyone to be on the lookout for any of the tell-tale signs,” Dr King explained.

 “A change in your bowel habit that lasts for three weeks or more and blood in your poo are warning signs that need acting upon as soon as possible.  Other signs include unexplained weight loss, feeling tired without reason, stomach pains or a lump in the stomach.

“Your first stop is your GP who, after an initial examination, will usually send patients with typical bowel symptoms to be assessed by a specialist, who will most likely recommend  a colonoscopy (flexible camera test of the bowel) or a CT scan.”

In many cases there is not a clear cut reason why some people develop bowel cancer, but you can reduce your personal risk of developing cancer by making some simple lifestyle choices:

Stop smoking:  Long-term smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop bowel cancer.

Watch your weight: After not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight is the most important thing you can do for cancer prevention.

Cut down on alcohol: Bowel cancer has been linked to a heavy intake of alcohol. The more you cut down, the more you reduce your risk.

Exercise regularly:  Besides using up extra calories and helping you avoid gaining weight, being physically active also helps food to move through your digestive system more quickly.

Eat healthily: Make sure you eat plenty of dietary fibre from whole grains, seeds, fruit and vegetables. This helps to move waste quickly through your digestive system. Also drink plenty of water.

Dr King added: “The most recent  figures show bowel cancer claims the lives of around 16,000 people in the UK every year so Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is a good time to let people know they can do positive things to improve their health and increase their chances of successful treatment.”

If you're worried about your bowel habits, or any of the above, please give our self-pay team a call today to arrange an appointment with Dr King: 01582 714 420. We will help you to get back on track, quickly.