Bowel Cancer AwarenessClaire Stephenson

Health Promotion & Outreach Coordinator

We aim to save lives by:

Raising awareness Campaigning for best treatment and care Providing practical support and information

What this talk will cover

Symptoms Risk factors Bowel screening Signposting

The digestive system

Large bowel

Anus

Stomach

Small bowelColon

Rectum

The large bowel

Part of the digestive system Processes waste for excretion Absorbs water from digested food and drink Approx 1.5m long and 6.5cm wide

Bowel cancer

Affects both men and women 95% of people are over 50 39,990 diagnosed each year in the UK

Bowel cancer

16,259 deaths each year in the UK Third most common cancer Second biggest cancer killer

Dukes Stage

Description Five year overall survival rates

Dukes A Cancer is contained within the lining of the colon or rectum

93%

Dukes B Cancer has grown through full thickness of lining and muscle wall

77%

Dukes C Cancer has spread to lymph nodes surrounding the affected colon

48%

Dukes D Cancer has spread beyond the original site (often to liver or lungs)

7%

Figures from NCIN Dec 2012

If diagnosed early bowel cancer

is highly treatable

Checking for symptoms

Symptoms

Bleeding from bottom or blood in poo Change in bowel habit for 3 weeks or more Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason Unexplained weight loss Pain and/or a lump in your belly

Symptoms

You may experience one, some, all or no symptoms

Most symptoms will not be bowel cancer

Risk factors

Age: 95% are over 50 Polyps Inflammatory bowel disease (ie Crohn’s Disease,

Ulcerative Colitis) Family history/genetics Type 2 Diabetes

Polyps

Family history

One close relative diagnosed under 50Or Two close relatives on the same side of the

family diagnosed at any ageOr Cases of other forms of abdominal cancer in

family (e.g. ovarian, stomach, kidney, endometrial)

Risk factors to avoid

Risk factors to avoid

Lowering your risk: diet

Lowering your risk: exercise

The Bowel Screening Programme

Bowel cancer screening

Who is included?

60-69 year olds Over 70s can opt in Registered with a GP

How to access the test

Automatically sent to your home every two years

Kit is personalised so you can’t use someone else's

You can request a replacement if you lose it

The Kit

Bowel Screening Centre receives kit

What happens next?

Your samples are tested for blood

Results

Negative result (0 positive samples) Next test in two years

Unclear result (1-4 positive samples) Repeat test

Abnormal result (5-6 positive samples) Invited to speak to a specialist

After a positive result

Appointment offered to talk about further testing by colonoscopy

A colonoscopy enables a specialist to see inside your bowel to find the cause of bleeding

Bowel examined at out-patient appointment using flexible tube with camera

Bowel screening programme success (As at May 2011)

Over 45,467 cases of polyps

9,361 cases of cancer

Signposting

If people report one or more symptoms they should visit their GP and not wait for a kit

Screening helpline: 0800 707 6060

www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk

Signposting

Information and Support Service

0800 8 40 35 40

support@bowelcanceruk.org.uk

www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk

Get involved!

Get fit by doing one of our runs/challenges

Nominate us for charity of the year

Hold a dress down day or cake sale at work

Donate regularly via payroll or direct debit

Help us continue our work

Text BCUK05 to 70070 to donate £5

Volunteer with us

Help on information standsGive talks to community groups and

workplacesHelp out at eventsVolunteer in the office

Thank you!

www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk020 7381 9711