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Most people are shy to talk about their bowels, because even now, most of us think of it as a taboo subject.
And yet, bowel cancer is on the rise, 1 in 18 of us can succumb to bowel cancer:hat:
I have tried to make it as concise as possible, and have omitted treatments and such.
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can occur anywhere in the colon or rectum.
About 80 per cent of bowel cancers occur in the large intestine (colon) and 20 per cent in the rectum.
Anal cancer is rare.
What causes it?
Although the exact cause of bowel cancer isn't understood, it's known genetics can play a part.
Specific genetic mutations can cause bowel cancer or inherited diseases known to predispose to the condition.
For example, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) accounts for about one per cent of all cancers of the colon and rectum.
It causes widespread development of polyps throughout the bowel from the teenage years onwards, many of which rapidly become cancerous.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can be vague and in the vast majority of cases the symptoms aren't caused by bowel cancer but something much more easily treated, such as an infection or piles.
If you're worried about any of the following, take action:
* Persistent change in bowel habit (lasting several weeks) such as looser motions/diarrhoea, constipation, needing to go more often or feeling that you haven't emptied your bowels properly after visiting the toilet
* Bleeding from the back passage (even tiny amounts are important)
* Passing mucus with the motions
* Persistent abdominal pain (spasms of colic, or general discomfort)
* Pain in the back passage
* Unexplained or extreme tiredness
* Unexplained weight loss
* Stomach pain or discomfort
* A lump in the abdomen
It's now possible to screen for bowel cancer using simple tests that detect blood and other clues in faeces. These can be arranged by your GP.
In the UK, bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in men, and the second most common cancer in women. It's the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, after lung cancer.
Risk factors include:
* Being overweight or obese
* Inactivity
* Smoking may increase the risk, especially in those who consume large amounts of alcohol
* A history of polyps in the bowel
* Previous problems with chronic inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
* A diet that's high in fat, and red and processed meat, and low in fibre, fruit, vegetables and folic acid
A family history of bowel cancer is particularly important if you have a close relative who was diagnosed before the age of 45, or if you have two relatives affected. Talk to your GP about genetic screening to see if you're at risk.
How is it prevented?
Exercise and a high-fibre, low-fat diet may help to prevent the disease, but it's important to learn to spot the symptoms of bowel cancer and discuss them with your doctor - the earlier the cancer is diagnosed the greater the chance of cure.
And yet, bowel cancer is on the rise, 1 in 18 of us can succumb to bowel cancer:hat:
I have tried to make it as concise as possible, and have omitted treatments and such.
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can occur anywhere in the colon or rectum.
About 80 per cent of bowel cancers occur in the large intestine (colon) and 20 per cent in the rectum.
Anal cancer is rare.
What causes it?
Although the exact cause of bowel cancer isn't understood, it's known genetics can play a part.
Specific genetic mutations can cause bowel cancer or inherited diseases known to predispose to the condition.
For example, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) accounts for about one per cent of all cancers of the colon and rectum.
It causes widespread development of polyps throughout the bowel from the teenage years onwards, many of which rapidly become cancerous.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can be vague and in the vast majority of cases the symptoms aren't caused by bowel cancer but something much more easily treated, such as an infection or piles.
If you're worried about any of the following, take action:
* Persistent change in bowel habit (lasting several weeks) such as looser motions/diarrhoea, constipation, needing to go more often or feeling that you haven't emptied your bowels properly after visiting the toilet
* Bleeding from the back passage (even tiny amounts are important)
* Passing mucus with the motions
* Persistent abdominal pain (spasms of colic, or general discomfort)
* Pain in the back passage
* Unexplained or extreme tiredness
* Unexplained weight loss
* Stomach pain or discomfort
* A lump in the abdomen
It's now possible to screen for bowel cancer using simple tests that detect blood and other clues in faeces. These can be arranged by your GP.
In the UK, bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in men, and the second most common cancer in women. It's the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, after lung cancer.
Risk factors include:
* Being overweight or obese
* Inactivity
* Smoking may increase the risk, especially in those who consume large amounts of alcohol
* A history of polyps in the bowel
* Previous problems with chronic inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
* A diet that's high in fat, and red and processed meat, and low in fibre, fruit, vegetables and folic acid
A family history of bowel cancer is particularly important if you have a close relative who was diagnosed before the age of 45, or if you have two relatives affected. Talk to your GP about genetic screening to see if you're at risk.
How is it prevented?
Exercise and a high-fibre, low-fat diet may help to prevent the disease, but it's important to learn to spot the symptoms of bowel cancer and discuss them with your doctor - the earlier the cancer is diagnosed the greater the chance of cure.
