Healthy living
Body matters
Beating bowel cancer
Ready for some good news about cancer? New research shows that nine out of ten people with bowel cancer survive, if it's caught early
The figures, from the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) and the Northern and Yorkshire Cancer Registry and Information Service (NYCRIS) are the first to be based on national statistics. They're compiled from every case of bowel cancer diagnosed in England between 1996 and 2006 where people survived for at least five years.
"It's really encouraging that more people with bowel cancer will now be successfully treated, if the disease is caught at the earliest stage," says Professor David Forman, director of NYCRIS and information lead for NCIN. "But overall, only half of people with bowel cancer will survive, so this shows how crucial it is that the disease is spotted early on."
"More than 80% of bowel cancer cases are in people over 60. Bowel cancer screening can pick up changes that could be the earliest sign of cancer," says Professor Forman. "Pilot programmes showed that over half of cancers detected through screening are at the earliest stage. So it is really important that people take part in screening when they're sent the kit – it could save their life," says David Forman.
The screening in question is the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, which is gradually being rolled out across England and Wales for 60 to 69 years olds, and for 50-74 year olds in Scotland. There are plans for a Bowel Cancer Screening Programme to launch in Northern Ireland in 2009.
Anyone over 70 in England can request a screening kit when the programme reaches their area, by calling a freephone helpline. From 2010, the screening programme will be expanded to cover people aged 70 to 75 in England. Worried that you might have missed out? Check with your GP’s surgery.
If you are diagnosed with early bowel cancer, your hospital should hold further hope for a good outcome. "The reason why more people are surviving early stage bowel cancer than ever before is mostly because of many improvements in surgery," says Paul Finan, bowel cancer surgeon and chair of the NCIN’s bowel cancer group. "This includes using less invasive techniques, and patients receiving better care around the time of surgery – like more sophisticated anaesthetic care and better care during hospital admission and recovery."
Know your symptoms
Most symptoms don't necessarily mean that you have bowel cancer, but it is important to know what they are, and to get checked by your GP.
* Bleeding from the rectum (bottom) and/or blood in your stools, especially if you are over 50
* A persistent change in normal bowel habits, such as looser stools or diarrhoea, lasting four weeks or more
* A pain and/or lump in your abdomen (belly)
* Unexplained iron deficiency in men or in post-menopausal women
* Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
Useful websites:
Bowel Cancer UK - www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk
Cancer Research UK - www.cancerresearchuk.org
Cancer Help - www.cancerhelp.org.uk
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Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
