Five ways to reduce your risk from bowel cancer

Your risk of bowel cancer increases from the age of 50, there’s something you can do about it...........

Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer but it is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone diagnosed at the earliest stage will survive bowel cancer however, this drops significantly as the disease develops. Taking part in bowel cancer screening is the best way to get diagnosed early and early diagnosis saves lives.

So, how can you prevent bowel cancer? 

Do the screening test when it arrives at your home.

If you’re registered with a GP and aged 60-74 (50-74 in Scotland), you will receive a free NHS bowel cancer screening test in the post every two years.

You have to collect three samples of your poo, over a maximum of two weeks (10 days in Scotland), and send it back in the hygienically-sealed freepost envelope provided. You carry out the simple test at home in private and it comes with clear step by step instructions. The test looks for hidden blood in your poo, which could be an early sign of bowel cancer.

You usually get the results of your test in about two weeks.

Most people have a normal result. If this happens, you will receive a test again in two years but see your GP if you have any symptoms in the meantime.

Eat a healthy diet

Upping your fruit and vegetables, and cutting back on red and processed meats is important to reduce your risk of bowel cancer – research suggests that eating red and/or processed meats may increase your risk.

You don’t have to completely cut out red meat though, just stick to no more than three to four serves a week. However, you should limit processed meats, such as hotdogs, bacon, and ham.

Up your exercise 

Getting active can reduce the risk of many cancers, particularly bowel cancer, because exercise can help to keep things moving inside, reducing contact with cancer-causing agents. The Cancer Council recommends one hour of moderate activity daily (brisk walk, medium-paced swimming, or cycling) or 30 minutes of vigorous activity (think huffing and puffing) to cut your cancer risk. 

Give up smoking and watch your alcohol consumption

Quitting smoking will reduce your risk not only of bowel cancer but 15 other types of cancer.

Alcohol is linked to seven types of cancer including bowel cancer. It is estimated that about 11 out of 100 bowel cancers (11%) in the UK are linked to alcohol.

Know what symptoms to watch for

It may sound funny, but getting to know your bowel habits might save your life.

Symptoms to watch for include a change in your bowel habits, including diarrhoea, constipation or the feeling of incomplete emptying, thin bowel movements, blood in the stools, abdominal pain, bloating or cramping, anal or rectal pain, a lump in the anus or rectum, weight loss, fatigue, and unexplained anaemia.

If you have any of these symptoms, chat to your GP. 

Ask about your family history

Talk to your family members to find out as much as you can about your family’s history of bowel cancer. If one or more of your close family members (such as a parent or sibling) have had bowel cancer, it may increase your risk.

This is especially the case if they were diagnosed before the age of 55, or if there are two close relatives on the same side of your family with bowel cancer.

A family history of other cancers, such as endometrial cancer, may also increase your risk of developing bowel cancer.

There are two rare genetic conditions that occur in some families. These cause a small number (5–6 percent) of bowel cancers.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)– This condition causes hundreds of polyps to form in the bowel. If polyps caused by FAP are not removed, they may become cancerous.

Lynch syndrome– Previously known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), this syndrome is characterised by a fault in the gene that helps the cell’s DNA repair itself. Having Lynch syndrome increases the risk of developing bowel cancer and other cancers.

If you are concerned about your family risk factors, talk to your doctor about having regular check-ups.

For more info on bowel cancer visit the Bowel Cancer UK  or NHS UK or read the pamphlet P591 BOW Good Bowel Health-12pp_LR.pdf

And remember, when you receive the free home test in the mail, do it.

Ann August 2017

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