Kick Bowel Cancer

If you have a family member(s) who has had bowel cancer you have an increased bowel cancer risk.

The risk varies depending on the number of relatives and their age at diagnosis. It is worth speaking to your close relatives to understand your family medical history.

Kick bowel cancer today

Even if you have not experienced any symptoms it is recommended you visit your GP to discuss the best path of action.

93% of bowel cancer cases occur in people 50 and over, but you should never be told you are too young to have bowel cancer.

Lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity, diet, alcohol and smoking can also increase your risk of developing bowel cancer.

If you have ever had bowel cancer, polyps or inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease you have a moderately increased bowel cancer risk.

Even though the majority of bowel cancer cases occur in people over 50 years old, you should never be told you are too young to have bowel cancer.

Kick bowel cancer today

If you don't have a bowel cancer surveillance program currently in place you should make an appointment to see your GP/Specialist.

Your GP can refer you to a specialist for further investigation.

Lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity, diet, alcohol and smoking can also increase your risk of developing bowel cancer.

If you have any of these symptoms, it does not mean you have bowel cancer, but it is very important that you discuss them with your GP.

Even though the majority of bowel cancer cases occur in people over 50 years old, you should never be told you are too young to have bowel cancer.

Kick bowel cancer today

Call your GP and make an appointment.

People experiencing symptoms require a referral to a specialist for further investigation.

Clinically significant symptoms require investigation via colonoscopy within 30 days.

Lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity, diet, alcohol and smoking can also increase your risk of developing bowel cancer.

At this stage you have an average risk of developing bowel cancer.

However, lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity, diet, alcohol and smoking can increase your risk of developing bowel cancer.

Medical guidelines recommend screening from age 50 every one to two years. If you would like access to screening, talk to your GP or pharmacist about a bowel cancer screening test kit.

Although 93% of bowel cancer cases occur in people 50 and over, you should never be told you are too young to have bowel cancer. Bowel cancer accounts for 1,058 cases annually in people under the age of 50, so don't be told you are too young to be screened.

If you develop any symptoms, see your GP immediately.

You can still help kick bowel cancer.

Please help us kick bowel cancer by encouraging your family members to complete this survey.

You could save their life.

At this stage you have an average or slightly above average bowel cancer risk.

However, bowel cancer risk rises sharply and progressively from age 50. Lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity, diet, alcohol and smoking can also increase your risk of developing bowel cancer.

Make sure you are in the clear, kick bowel cancer today

Visit your doctor or pharmacy and ask for a bowel cancer screening test (known as a Faecal Occult Blood Test). The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program also automatically sends test kits in the mail to people turning 50, 55, 60 or 65 years of age (from 2015, people turning 70 will also be included).

The Faecal Occult Blood Test detects tiny amounts of blood, often released from bowel cancers or their precursors (polyps or adenomas) into the bowel motion. It is a simple, non-invasive test which can be completed in the privacy of your own home, and returned for analysis. The results are then sent to you and your GP.

If your test is positive make an appointment to see your GP as a positive test requires investigation within 30 days.

If your test is negative you should make a note to repeat the test every one to two years.

If you develop any symptoms, see your GP immediately. You may be required to have a colonoscopy.