46 People Will Die Of Bowel Cancer Today - Hospital Raises Awareness To Cut Deaths, England

Main Category: Colorectal Cancer
Also Included In: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology;  Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 06 Apr 2009 - 1:00 PST

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One in 18 people will get bowel cancer over their lifetime. It is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths - yet, if caught early, 90% of sufferers will survive.

Yeovil District Hospital's Colorectal Department is organising an awareness day, in partnership with the colon-aid (bowel cancer) support group, with the aim of saving the lives of local people who are at risk of bowel cancer.

It will be held on Friday, April 17 between 10am and 2pm at Holy Trinity Community Centre in Lysander Road, Yeovil. As well as a range of display stands containing a wealth of information there will be presentations from 12 noon to 1.30pm on what is bowel cancer? signs and symptoms; treatment options and screening. Bowel screening is now available for everyone aged between 60 and 70 years and anyone in this age group should receive an invitation from the National Bowel Screening Programme.

Although this is the most at-risk age group for developing bowel cancer one fifth of those diagnosed will be under 60. So everyone is urged to be aware of the main symptoms to look out for which are:

a.. passing stools more frequently
b.. passing looser stools
c.. rectal bleeding persisting for several weeks (rectal bleeding is very common and can be a symptom of less serious conditions such as piles - it is still important to get it checked out)
d.. unexplained anaemia
e.. a lump in your abdomen
f.. abdominal pain

Ten per cent of bowel cancers occur in those with a family history. If you have one close relative (brother, sister, parent or child) who developed bowel cancer under the age of 45

or two or more older relatives from the same side of the family who have had bowel cancer

you should talk to your GP about screening.

There are a number of activities that everyone can do to cut their chances of developing bowel cancer by up to 50%. These include:

a.. Regular exercise
b.. Eating give fruit or vegetables a day

To find out more about beating bowel cancer go to: http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org. Anyone wishing to know more about the awareness day should contact the Colorectal/Stoma Care Department at Yeovil District Hospital on 01935 384352.

Source
Yeovil District Hospital's Colorectal Department

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