It’s not always good to hold a world record at the wrong end.
Like bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer was once considered an older person’s disease. Not anymore. Australia now holds the world’s highest rate of bowel cancer in people under 50. It’s now the leading cause of cancer death for men under 50 and the second for women in that age group.
Let that sink in for a minute.
Bowel cancer affects both men and women equally, but the tricky thing with bowel cancer is that it can lack any noticeable symptoms.
There can be years of slow growth before anything seems unusual.
But here’s the good news: if caught early, bowel cancer is highly treatable. According to Cancer Australia, more than 90 percent of cases can be successfully treated when detected early.
What is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, starts in the colon or rectum. It often begins as small, noncancerous clumps of cells called polyps. Over time, some of these polyps can turn into cancer. That’s why screening is so important—it can find polyps before they become cancerous.
National screening saves lives
If you’re aged 50 to 74, you’ll receive a free home test kit every two years as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. This simple test looks for hidden blood in your stool, which can be a sign of cancer. If your test is positive, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy.
In response to the growing number of younger people with bowel cancer, the Australian government has expanded the national screening program to include people over 45 years. People over 45 can request a free screening test be sent in the mail.
The problem is, not all of us who are eligible are doing the free test. Research says, only about 40.9 percent of eligible Australians participate in the screening.
The bowel cancer home screening test
Not only is the screening test done in the privacy of your own home, it’s fast and clean.
It can also save your life.
In the kit, you get 2 toilet liners, 2 collection tubes, one ziplock bag, and a reply paid envelope.
Two faecal (poo) samples are taken. They can be taken on the same day or different days — whatever works for you. Watch the video below to see what to do first or read the test instructions.
The test looks for invisible traces of blood. These can be a sign of cancer, but may not be.
If the test is negative, that means no blood was detected, and you can rest easy until next time. If something unusual is detected, you may be asked to have a colonoscopy.
You can request a home screening test if you are over 45 years of age or concerned about any symptoms. Ask your doctor or use the Test Request form to receive it in the mail.
The screening test can detect most (about 85 percent) of bowel cancer, but not all. That’s why it’s important to do the test every two years.
The results are usually sent within 4 weeks and will be either positive, negative, or inconclusive. If your test result is positive, that doesn’t mean you have bowel cancer, but your GP will most likely refer you for a colonoscopy. Read more about the test results.
What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a procedure where a doctor uses a long, flexible tube with a camera to look inside your bowel. It usually takes less than half an hour and is performed under sedation.
The doctor performing the colonoscopy takes a tour of the colon. If they find any abnormalities, such as polyps or cancer. They may be able to remove polyps during the procedure.
Symptoms of bowel cancer
Bowel cancer can be hard to detect in our own bodies because it lacks any noticeable symptoms.
It can take years of slow growth before anything seems unusual. Even then, it could be mistaken for other things, like inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, or food intolerances. This is all the more reason why screening is so crucial to detection and survival.
Look out for changes to your bowel habits. This could be blood in the stool (poo), diarrhoea, constipation, or incomplete emptying. Fatigue and unexplained weight loss are also symptoms.
If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor.
How can I prevent bowel cancer?
First of all, if you have any family history of bowel cancer, you can get tested by talking to your GP.
Secondly, participate in the national screening program. If you’re over 50, do the test that comes in the mail. With few symptoms, we rely on screening to detect bowel cancer in its earliest stages. When it is detected, there is a very high success rate. Around half of cases in Australia are not detected in the earliest stages.
There are key things everyone can do to influence your risk of developing bowel cancer.
- Quit smoking
- Limit or give up drinking alcohol
- Lower the amount of red and processed meat you eat
- Keep a healthy body weight (or BMI)
- Eat more whole foods and dietary fibre, like apples. They say an apple a day keeps the colonoscopist away.
- Exercise or frequent physical activity will also help prevent bowel (and all types) cancer
Local Support on the Central Coast
If you or someone you know is affected by bowel cancer on the Central Coast, there are local support services available:
Central Coast Cancer Centre: Offers a range of services including treatment, nursing, and emotional support. Contact them at 02 4320 9656. Central Coast Local Health District+1Central Coast Local Health District+1
Cancer Council NSW: Provides information, support groups, and a 13 11 20 helpline for cancer-related inquiries. cancer.nsw.gov.au+3Cancer Council Australia+3Cancer Council NSW+3
Bowel Cancer Australia: Offers a Peer-to-Peer Support Network connecting individuals affected by bowel cancer. Bowel Cancer Australia
Red Apple Day
Red Apple Day is held on 18 June every year. Red Apple Day is the national giving day of Bowel Cancer Australia and raises funds that are used to make meaningful change for people affected by bowel cancer.
This includes funds for research, patient-centred care services like telehealth, research into why the younger age cohort is affected, practical and emotional support, and advocacy. After years of advocacy, Bowel Cancer Australia achieved the reduction in the screening age to 45.
The target for the year is $200,000.
The red apple represents the bowel. The small hole represents cancer from a worm. If detected early and removed, it can’t continue harming the apple or the tree.
Plus apples are a symbol of health. They’re also a good source of fibre, which is loved by our gut microbes. They digest the fibre in the colon and send us vitamins, neurotransmitters, regular bowel motions, and other short-chain fatty acids. These all work to keep us healthy and feeling good.
Anyone can make a donation to Red Apple Day. You can also create your own fundraising event such as an apple-themed morning tea or brunch, lunch, or something else. Register your event and receive support resources.
This Red Apple Day, take a moment to check in with your gut health. That simple test kit in the mail could save your life. And our national pride.
When it comes to world records, it can be better at the bottom end. Excuse the pun.
As always, this article is general in nature. It shouldn’t be relied on as personal medical advice. For personal medical advice, book a consultation with your doctor.