About Bowel / Colorectal Cancer...

What is bowel cancer?

Facts & stats

Bowel cancer is also referred to as colorectal or colon cancer.  Nearly all bowel cancers develop in the large bowel - two-thirds of these are in the colon and one-third in the rectum. Most bowel cancers develop from polyps which are usually non-cancerous and, once detected, can be removed easily if caught early enough.

Symptoms of bowel cancer

The symptoms of bowel cancer can be:

• Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your stools
• A change in bowel habit lasting for 3 weeks or more especially to looser or runny stools
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
• A severe pain or lump in your tummy

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or are worried that you might have bowel cancer, visit your GP immediately.

Risk Factors

Things that increase your risk of getting bowel cancer include:

• Diet: High consumption of red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and refined carbohydrates.
• Low Fibre Intake: Insufficient dietary fibre is linked to a higher risk.
• Obesity: Excess body weight contributes to the risk.
• Physical Inactivity: Lack of regular exercise can increase risk.
• Smoking and Alcohol: Both are associated with a higher risk of bowel cancer.
• Family History: A family history of bowel cancer can elevate risk.
• Chronic Inflammatory Conditions: Conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are risk factors.

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Treatment and outlook

Bowel cancer can be treated using a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and, in some cases, biological therapy. As with most types of cancer, the chance of a complete cure depends on how far the cancer has advanced by the time it is diagnosed.
 
If bowel cancer is diagnosed in its earliest stages, the chance of surviving a further five years is 90%, and a complete cure is usually possible. However, bowel cancer diagnosed in its most advanced stage only has a five-year survival rate of 6% and a complete cure is unlikely.
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Screening and early detection

• The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in England offers regular screening to detect early signs of bowel cancer.
• The programme is expanding to include individuals aged 50 and above, with completion expected by 2025.
• Early detection through screening significantly improves treatment outcomes.
• Awareness of symptoms, such as changes in bowel habits, blood in stools, and unexplained weight loss, is crucial.
• Consulting a healthcare professional if any of these symptoms are present can lead to early diagnosis and more effective treatment.

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Can I prevent it?

Whilst the exact causes of Bowel cancer are unknown there is plenty you can to reduce your chances of developing bowel cancer. Get started with these simple steps:
 
1. Exercise. The more active you are, the more you reduce your chances of developing bowel cancer.
2. Eat foods that are rich in fibre such as fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and wholegrain cereals.
3. Replace white bread, pasta and rice for wholegrain i.e. brown or grain alternatives.
4. Cut down on red meat, and avoid processed meats, such as processed ham and meats. Cut down on fatty meats e.g. bacon. Fish and poultry are good alternatives to red meat, as are soya and other vegetarian substitutes.
5. Limit your alcohol intake. Bowel cancer has been linked to a heavy intake of alcohol (+ 4 units of alcohol a day for men).
6. Get to know all the allium family - onions, garlic, shallots, chives and leeks are all good for your gut.
7. Don’t hold it. If you need to go to the toilet, do so as soon as you can.
8. Always drink your daily recommended water, most healthy adults need 1.5-3litres (6-8 medium glasses).
9. Lastly and most importantly, stop smoking. Quitting can be hard but enlist the help of friends and family. The NHS also offers free advice on quitting, contact your local doctor’s surgery for further information. Remember it’s never too late to give up smoking and reap the benefits. Patients who are still smoking at the time of their diagnosis have shorter survival times than those who have already quit.
 
If you would like to talk to us or if you require any further information, please email Ducks & Drakes

Prevalence 

• Nearly 44,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer annually, making it the fourth most common cancer after breast, prostate, and lung cancers.
• It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, claiming over 16,800 lives each year.

Age Distribution

• Over 50s: More than 90% of new cases are diagnosed in individuals over the age of 50.
• Under 50s: Approximately 2,600 new cases are diagnosed annually in people under 50.

Lifetime Risk

• 1 in 17 men will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime.
• 1 in 20 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime.

Survival Rates

• Bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage.

Trends in Younger Adults

• There has been a rise in bowel cancer cases among younger adults in England.
• Between 2007 and 2017, there was an annual increase of 3.6% in diagnoses among individuals aged 25 to 49.
• Factors such as unhealthy diets, high consumption of ultra-processed foods, obesity, and lack of exercise contribute to this trend.

Credit: Bowel Cancer UK