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Did you know that around 75% of bowel cancer cases can be prevented?
We cannot eliminate our risk of bowel cancer but we can help reduce our risk.
1. Maintain a healthy body weight
Being overweight or obese are major risk factors for bowel cancer. Two ways to check that you're in the healthy weight zone is by working out your Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Measurement. Visit the Healthier Queensland Fitness page to see how you measure up.
2. Eat well
To reduce your risk of bowel cancer, eat a well balanced, varied diet that is high in dietary fibre (wholegrain cereals, breads, grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds), and limit intake of red meat and processed meats to less than 5 portions per week. Minimise your fat intake as excessive fatty foods can lead to overweight and obesity, which are major risk factors for bowel cancer.
3. Be active
For general good health, find your 30 minutes of physical activity each day. To reduce your cancer risk, 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily or 30 minutes of vigorous activity (ie. activity that makes you "huff and puff") is recommended. For some tips on how to get some physical activity into your day, visit the Australian Government's Swap It website. For information on local walking groups in your area, visit the Heart Foundation website.
4. Be smoke free
Smoking increases the incidence of bowel polyps, which can become cancerous. Approximately 10-20% of bowel cancer cases may be attributable to smoking. For help to quit smoking, call the Quitline 13 QUIT (13 7848).
5. Drink wise - avoid or limit alcohol
Alcohol is increasingly associated with an increased risk of cancer. To reduce your cancer risk, it is recommended that you limit your consumption of alcohol or avoid alcohol altogether.
6. Participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
Screening involves testing people who have no obvious symptoms of the disease. People turning 50, 55 or 65 will be invited to participate in this early detection program using a Faecal Occult Blood Test. Invitations are automatically sent to eligible people's Medicare registered addresses around the time of their eligible birthday.
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