Bowel Cancer

The LCCC Foundation in partnership with the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme were on hand at the CB40 match against Gloucs Gladiators, to raise awareness of Bowel Cancer and simple steps for good bowel health.

If you somehow missed the giant inflatable colon (!!) then here are some tips on spotting signs and symptoms of possible cancer as well as some preventative measures.

Signs

We all have problems with our insides every now and again and there is usually nothing to worry about. Nevertheless, it is important that everyone know the main signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.

These include:

• Changes in your bowel habits, especially going on the toilet more than often or having diarrhoea for 3-4 weeks
• Bleeding from your bottom with no obvious reason
• A pain or lump in your stomach
• Unexplained tiredness or extreme weight loss

If these symptoms should last for more than three weeks you should see your GP.

Ways to reduce risk

• Know your bowel habits that way you can recognise any changes
• Increase your fibre intake – include plenty of whole grains in your diet
• Try to eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day
• Limit the amount of red and processed meat you eat and keep saturated fat to a minimum
• Drink plenty of fluids – around 6-8 glasses a day
• Try to do around 150 minutes of moderate physical activity over the week
• Don’t drink more than the recommended maximum alcohol limit – max 3 units per day for women, 4 units for men with at least two alcohol free days per week
• Smoking can increase your risk of developing cancer and should try to stop. When you inhale or swallow tobacco you are carrying cancer causing substances to your bowel
• Keep to a healthy weight, leaner people are far less likely to develop bowel cancer than obese people
• Take part in the bowel cancer screening programme when it becomes available to you

For more information please visit www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/bowel or call 0800 840 3540

For local information go to: www.bowelscreening.org