Beating Bowel Cancer
Beating Bowel Cancer is the leading UK charity for bowel cancer patients, working to raise awareness of symptoms, promote early diagnosis and encourage open access to treatments for all bowel cancer patients
Beating Bowel Cancer provides clear information, support and guidance for anyone affected by bowel cancer. They publish a range of downloadable information booklets and leaflets to help patients and their carers during treatment and beyond
Their Specialist Nurse Advisorsare on hand to offer support to patients and their families and answer questions and concerns. Anyone who is worried about any aspect of the disease – whether they have symptoms and don’t know what to do, if they have been diagnosed, or have questions about treatment options – then please call their confidential helpline, open from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and from 9am to 4pm on Friday: Tel. 08450 719301 (low call rate)
Alternatively, you can email at any time for advice. Their nurses are also available via our Facebook page,where you can also chat to other bowel cancer patients and their friends and relatives. They are available to answer your questions via our Twitter page ,and you can also post a question for their nurses in the patient forum
You can also watch Louisa, Senior Nurse Advisor, answering frequently asked questions
Carers’ Forum
Beating Bowel Cancer also offers support to relatives of people with bowel cancer. As a relative, you may have just as many questions and concerns as your loved one. The forum is a great place to get information and support from a huge range of people who have also been affected by bowel cancer. The online community is a strong, friendly group of relatives and carers of patients at all stages of the bowel cancer journey and can be accessed online 356 days a year
To find out more about Beating Bowel Cancer, or to make a donation, visit www.beatingbowelcancer.org
Bowel Cancer: The Facts
- Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer – claiming a life every half an hour
- Over 110 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every day; that is someone every 15 minutes
- Over 41,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year and affects men and women almost equally
- Although it is most commonly associated with people over the age of 60, bowel cancer can affect anyone at any age
- Incidences increase sharply from around age 50, peaking in the over-80s
- In the UK between 2007 and 2009, an average 72% of bowel cancer cases were diagnosed in people aged 65 years and over
- Around a quarter (26% in 2007-2009) of bowel cancer cases occur in 60-69 year olds
- Despite these shocking statistics, at least one in four people are unaware of the disease, or the symptoms associated with it
- The good news is that bowel cancer can be successfully treated in over 90% of cases, if it is diagnosed at an early stage, before it has had a chance to grow and spread
Symptoms of Bowel Cancer
The early symptoms for bowel cancer can include blood in the poo, or loose stools for three weeks or more, although these are very similar to other, much less serious problems with the bowel. It is very important to be aware of what is normal, so you can recognise any unusual changes and act quickly to get them investigated
The Government is keen to raise awareness of the symptoms and has recently rolled-out a nationwide campaign Be Clear On Cancer
Bowel Cancer Screening
Regular bowel cancer screening has been shown to be very effective in detecting early changes in the bowel
People in England and Northern Ireland are currently offered bowel screening at two-year intervals between ages 60 and 69, though in England this is gradually being extended to include people aged 70-74
In Scotland people are currently offered screening from ages 50-74, and in Wales people are offered screening from ages 60-74
Support for You booklet.
Understanding Bowel Cancer: Detect and Diagnose A comprehensive booklet on symptoms, screening programmes, high risk groups, bowel cancer in the family, visiting your GP, tests, investigations and diagnosis
Don’t hide your symptoms A simple leaflet which lists the symptoms of bowel cancer and urges anyone concerned to visit their doctor
Bowel cancer screening An A4 factsheet explaining how the national bowel cancer screening programmes work, who is eligible to take part and why it is important to return your screening kit
If you have any concerns about bowel cancer, or want to share your views, please do so on our forum
