By Jason Irvine
December is an important time of the year for Bowel Cancer Australia as the community-funded charity’s fundraisers, Decembeard and Decembhair, begin a process of raising awareness and funds to help beat bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer can affect anyone at any age, with Australia having one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world.
One in 14 men and one in 15 women develop the disease within their lifetime.
Each week 300 Australians are told they have bowel cancer and it claims the lives of 103 Australians weekly.
The risk of developing bowel cancer rises sharply from the age of 50 – but that’s not to say people under 50 aren’t at risk also, with young-onset bowel cancer on the rise as the deadliest cancer for young people aged 25-44 years of age.
Some 30% of people who develop bowel cancer have a family or hereditary history, that contributes to the diagnosis.
But it’s not all bad news.
The month-long annual event, Decembeard and Decembhair encourages people to help create real change by bringing awareness to Australia’s second-deadliest cancer (behind lung cancer) and aims to create understanding around the signs, symptoms, preventative measures, and treatment of bowel cancer.
Some of the common symptoms associated with bowel cancer include:
- Recent, persistent change in bowel habits
- A change in shape or appearance in your poo
- Blood in your poo or rectal bleeding
- Frequent gas pain, cramps
- A feeling that the bowel has not emptied completely after going to the toilet
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pain or a lump in the anus or rectum
- Abdominal pain or swelling
Kellie Hammond, Clinical Nurse Consultant with Far West Local Health District Cancer Services, says there are many steps one can take to prevent a bowel cancer diagnosis.
“Not everyone experiences symptoms, particularly in the early stages of bowel cancer,” Ms Hammond told the Barrier Truth.
“The above symptoms may be suggestive of bowel cancer, but they can also be due to other medical conditions, some foods or medicines.
“Don’t delay in talking to your GP if you are experiencing any of the described symptoms for two weeks or more, because when diagnosed early, almost 99 per cent of cases can be successfully treated.”
To decrease the risk of bowel cancer, prevention measures include
- Limiting alcohol
- Quiting smoking
- Limiting red and processed red meat
- Avoid gaining excess weight
- Include dairy and calcium in your daily diet
- Get enough fibre
- Be active
In 2020, the free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) was fully implemented in Australia, with this test (often referred to as the ‘poo test’ and received via mail) benefiting people aged 50-74.
While the tests are simple and easy to use, Ms Hammond says not all Australians choose to return the kits.
“It’s not the most glamorous of topics but people always go “oh, I’m not doing that, I’m not touching my poo”, it’s just like, you’re not touching your poo. You wipe your bottom, usually changed a nappy or two in your lifetime, it’s less than any of those.
“But people just get the ‘yuck’ with the bowels so that’s a barrier, as is people not probably listening to their bodies, and another barrier would be returning those bowel kits.
“We’re lucky that we’ve got a fly-in, fly-out specialist service here at Broken Hill. Back in 2016, we commenced what we call the Direct Access Colonoscopy ‘fast-track service’, so that’s my role.
If people meet a certain clinical criteria, they can come to my clinic and they can be fast-tracked straight through to colonoscopy so that decreases the waiting time to see one of the visiting gastroenterologist specialists.
“But it’s all about early detection. If people can get their head around it, the strong message is that early detection with bowel cancer is important.”
Fundraisers such as Decembeard and Decembhair has its benefits also, with Ms Hammond detailing the beauty of having these campaigns where people are encouraged to grow, dye, decorate, wax or shave their hair – either facial or head.
The result of raising both funds and awareness helps Bowel Cancer Australia’s work in prevention, early detection, quality treatment and providing the best care for everyone affected by bowel cancer.
“It’s wonderful that we can have that whole month dedicated towards bowel cancer, your signs, your symptoms, your prevention and the screening. It’s wonderful,” she said.
“We do have a Bowel Cancer Awareness Month as well in June, and Red Apple Day, but we’ve got the equivalent to Movember and Pink October and those things, it’s great. It’s great that we can bring and highlight the prevention of bowel cancer during the month of December.”
For more information about Decembeard and Decembhair, visit www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/decembeard.
For more information regarding bowel cancer prevention or screening, visit www.bowelcanceraustralia.org or call Bowel Cancer Australia’s Helpline on 1800 555 494.
