Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the cancer with the second highest incidence and is the second leading cause of cancer death in Australia. There is a 1 in 17 and a 1 in 26 lifetime risk of being diagnosed with CRC in Australia for men and women respectively. CRC costs the Australian government $235 million a year in direct costs and over 63,000 Disability-Adjusted Life Years.

Despite its long natural history, taking between 5 and 10 years to develop into cancer from its benign precursors, CRC is often not diagnosed until a later stage. CRC is largely clinically asymptomatic in its early stages, demonstrating the need for a screening program to detect CRC while it is still at an early stage, and more easily treatable. CRC that is treated at a stage when it is confined to the bowel wall has a 5-year survival rate of 88%, compared to a 5-year survival rate of 7% when treated at a stage when the cancer has spread outside the colon.

Research conducted by Cancer and Bowel Research Trust found that there is a significant discrepancy between the true incidence and prevalence of different types of cancer and the public’s perception of the situation. The research also found that the types of cancer that the respondents knew most about, had benefited from public awareness campaigns for many years.

Cancer & Bowel Research Trust conducts awareness and prevention programs around Australia in order to reduce the incidence and mortality of bowel cancer. A large aspect of this program includes education on the facts, providing statistics, informing about the symptoms, including informationon on the types of check-ups, and outling the prevention measures and procedures that a person may consider when undergoing bowel caner treatment. Included in these programs are: internal research projects, bowel cancer awareness week, call centre, retail, and face to face promotion of bowel cancer prevention.

The lack of community awareness of bowel cancer was clearly identified in our 2003 report. In 2008 we undertook further research to determine if there were any increases in community awareness. A copy of the relevant reports are available by clicking below:

2008 Report... more
2003 Report... more

Eating five or more portions a day including two fruits and three vegetables as well as regular servings of wholegrain cereal fibres and wheat bran are recommended as part of a healthy diet which may help prevent bowel cancer. Drinking two litres (about 8 glasses) of water also helps retain an active bowel that can effectively eliminate waste.

A "healthy bowel" diet should include a range of low-fat, high fibre whole foods diet such as the cruciferous (leafy green) vegetables, cabbage and broccoli, wholemeal and wholegrain products and pulses. Calcium intake should be around 1000 to 1200 mg per day for adults aged 30 and older. As a guide, one cup of skim milk provides just over 300mg of calcium. Reducing red meat, full-fat dairy products, sugar, salt and spicy foods, controlling alcohol consumption and avoiding becoming overweight are also recommended.



Studies have linked the consumption of charred meats with bowel cancer. Meats cooked at high temperatures undergo a chemical transformation which can create carcinogenic (cancer causing) compounds in the food.

Red meats, poultry, and fish that are grilled/barbecued, broiled, or pan-fried for extended periods are the main contributors to this so it is recommended that eating charred meats be avoided.

Exercise is also considered a preventative measure that maintains a healthy bowel. A minimum of 30 minutes aerobic exercise three times a week is advised. Walking, hiking, swimming, cycling, yoga and going to the gym are higly recommended as low impact activities. Please consult a health care professional for advice on a regular updated training schedule that would suit you.



Authorities recommend a digital rectal examination as part of a regular physical check-up regardless of whether or not symptoms are present, particularly if there is a family history of the disease. From age 40, a yearly faecal occult blood test is recommended. Bowel cancer-related bleeding may not be visible and this test enables doctors to determine conclusively if there is blood in the stool. From age 50, a sigmoidoscopy is recommended every 3 to 5 years.



An FOBT (faecal occult blood test) is a simple, do it yourself, test kit. It involves taking 2 or 3 separate bowel motions (faeces) in the comfort of your home. Once these samples have been taken they are then sent to a laboratory for testing. An equivalent method is where 2 seperate brush samples are made of the stool and wiped onto a diagnosis envelope for you to then send to a laboratory for testing.

The FOBT analyst is looking for small traces of blood in the bowel motion. Blood can be an early sign of bowel cancer or a polyp, which is a growth on the inside of the bowel which can develop into cancer. If blood is found, further tests will be ordered to investigate the nature of the bleeding.

Persons who are over the age of 40 with a family history or people over the age of 50 without symptoms and with a family history of bowel cancer are encouraged to do an FOBT every 2 years.

If you are turning 50, 55 or 65 between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2010, the Australian Government will send you a free FOBT as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program... more

General Practitioners can provide FOBTs with payment, pharmacies sell FOBTs and some health insurance funds provide FOBTs to their clients.

If you would like to purchase a FOBT kit please call Cancer & Bowel Research Trust on 1800 350 480.

For further information on bowel cancer please go to our "frequently asked questions" section.... more

OUR CAMPAIGNS:

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is typically in the month of June involving as many states and regional centres as possible. Cancer & Bowel Research Trust have established prominent positions in malls and shopping centres in order to spread the message to as many Australians as possible in the community of bowel cancer, preventative measures and the benefits of early detection.



The “embarrassment can kill” slogan is to provoke attention in regards to the benefits of early detection. Our orange wristbands are distributed during this week with our brochures for further information on bowel cancer. Additionally, Carman’s have been a major sponsor and we are happy to provide samples of their product to encourage healthy eating.
    


Cancer & Bowel Research Trust speaks to many hundreds of thousands of businesses and household individuals on an annual basis conveying educational information about bowel cancer prevention. When requested our telemarketers send out further information via either post or email on preventative measures and information concerning regular screening and the benefits of early detection.
     


Throughout South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, Cancer & Bowel Research Trust regularly has information stalls set up in shopping centres, supermarkets and other retail outlets distributing information about cancer prevention. This also provides opportunity for our advocates to talk to members of the community on a face-to-face basis about preventative measures educating the community of the benefits of early detection.
  


Cancer & Bowel Research Trust nationally knocks on over 1 million doors per annum. Our advocates distribute to both residences and businesses printed information about cancer prevention in particular the benefits of cancer preventative measures such as diet and exercise and also the benefits of regular screening for early detection.