June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a highlight of which is Red Apple Day on 15 June.
Every year, 15,206 Australians are diagnosed with bowel cancer (293 a week), including 1,542 people under the age of 50.
Bowel cancer claims the lives of 101 Australians every week (5,255 people a year) - but it's one of the most treatable types of cancer if found early.
While the risk of bowel cancer increases significantly with age, the disease doesn't discriminate, affecting men and women, young and old.
Some 293 Australians will be diagnosed with bowel cancer this week (15,206 people a year).
During the early stages of bowel cancer, people may have no symptoms, which is why screening is so important.
As a cancerous tumour grows, it can narrow and block the bowel resulting in changes to the size, shape, and/or colour of poo, with our without rectal bleeding. These symptoms are often attributed to haemorrhoids or simply ignored.
Cancers occurring in the left side of the colon generally cause constipation alternating with diarrhoea, abdominal pain and obstructive symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting.
Right-sided colon lesions produce vague, abdominal aching, unlike the colicky pain seen with obstructive left-sided lesions.
Anaemia (low red blood cell count) resulting from chronic blood loss, weakness, weight loss and/or an abdominal mass may also occur when bowel cancer affects the right side of the colon.
Patients with cancer of the rectum may present with a change in bowel movements; rectal fullness, urgency, or bleeding; and tenesmus (cramping rectal pain).
Any of the below symptoms could be indicative of colon or rectal cancer and should be investigated by your GP if they persist for more than two weeks.
- Blood in your poo or rectal bleeding
- A recent, persistent change in bowel habit (e.g. diarrhoea, constipation or the feeling or incomplete emptying)
- A change in the shape or appearance of your poo (e.g. narrower stools or mucus in the faeces)
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Pain or a lump in the anus or rectum
- Unexplained anaemia causing tiredness, weakness or weight loss
Red Apple Day (Wednesday, 15 June 2022) is Bowel Cancer Australia's Annual Giving Day, when Australians are encouraged to support the vital work of the charity.
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is Bowel Cancer Australia's signature event to raise awareness of Australia's second deadliest cancer and funds the leading community-funded charity dedicated to prevention, early diagnosis, research, quality treatment and the best care for everyone affected by bowel cancer.
