This year for Bowel Cancer Awareness month, we are urging you to get more comfortable having those uncomfortable conversations, to get to know what to look out for and to act if they have any concerns.

Colorectal cancer is also known as bowel cancer. Bowel cancer is cancer that starts in the large bowel (colon cancer) or back passage (rectal cancer).

2,500 men and women are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Ireland every year, 1,452 men and 1,047 women.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death overall for men and women in Ireland.

Around 1 in 20 people get bowel cancer.

However, bowel cancer has a 5-year survival rate of 97% when diagnosed at Stage I, but unfortunately, 60% of cases in Ireland are diagnosed at a late stage. We need to change that. This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we’re encouraging people to talk Talk Sh*t, Know Sh*t and Get Sh*t Done.  (1)

Talk Sh*t – Why Conversations Matter

Nobody likes talking about poo. Bowel cancer can feel like an uncomfortable topic, but breaking the taboo can lead to life-saving early detection. By talking openly with family, friends and healthcare professionals, people can become more comfortable discussing symptoms and seeking medical help when necessary.

Too often, embarrassment stops us from getting something checked out. Get comfortable talking sh*t with your friends, family and your GP.

Know Sh*t – Understanding the Signs

Being aware of what’s normal for you is key to spotting early warning signs of bowel cancer.

Know what’s normal for you and talk to your GP if you experience unexplained changes in your bowel habits such as such as diarrhoea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool for no obvious reason for six weeks or more.

Get Sh*t Done – Taking Action to Save Lives

We are urging the public to get to know bowel cancer’s signs and symptoms, to speak to their GP if they notice a change in their bathroom habits and to avail of their free Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT test) from BowelScreen if aged 59 or over.

Crucially, we are also urging the public not to wait until they reach screening age to be aware of their bowel health, listen to their body, and get checked if they have any concerns.

Don’t worry we are here to help you.

We will support you

  • With the facts about Bowel Cancer
  • Raise awareness of signs and symptoms
  • Help start more conversations about Bowel Screening
  • Urge people to go to their GP with signs and symptoms.
  • Urge those of the right age to avail of BowelScreen and continue to call for a reduction in screening age.

Bowel Cancer- Facts

In Ireland, around 2,500 people each year develop cancer of the bowel, also known as colon, rectal or colorectal cancer.

Bowel cancer affects both men and women, around 1,452 men and 1,047 women are diagnosed annually

One in five diagnoses of bowel cancer in Ireland is to someone under 60 [4], while 1 in 10 diagnoses is to someone under 50 [5]. Bowel Cancer is not just a disease of older age.

With all cancers, survival is strongly influenced by stage at diagnosis. Bowel cancer has a 5-year survival rate of 97% in those diagnosed at Stage I and this reduces dramatically to just 14% in those diagnosed at Stage 4 [1].

Bowel cancer- Signs and symptoms

Changes in bowel habits such as diarrhoea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool for no obvious reason for six weeks or more.

Blood in the stool (rectal bleeding), either bright red or dark and tar-like

Unexplained weight loss that is sudden and losing weight without trying

Abdominal cramps, pain or bloating that won’t go away.

A lump in your back passage or tummy (abdomen)

Feeling constantly tired and lacking energy, even with enough rest

Iron deficiency anaemia due to chronic bleeding, causing fatigue, weakness and paleness

Other diseases apart from bowel cancer can cause all of the above symptoms. However, if you experience any of these symptoms, have #NoRegrets, make an appointment with your GP and get it checked.

Director of Nursing Services with the Marie Keating Foundation, Helen Forristal says: “Nobody likes talking about poo. But it’s important to know what’s normal for each of us, as changes in bowel habits can be a warning sign of bowel cancer. “Bowel cancer has a 5-year survival rate of 97% when diagnosed at Stage I, but unfortunately, 60% of cases in Ireland are diagnosed at a late stage. We need to change that. This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we’re encouraging people to talk Talk Sh*t, Know Sh*t and Get Sh*t Done. “Know what’s normal for you and talk to your GP if you experience unexplained changes in your bowel habits, such as diarrhoea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool for no obvious reason for six weeks or more. Early detection saves lives, and it all starts with a conversation.”

Dr Fiona Macken, a Dublin-based GP, is supporting this year's campaign says “As GPs, we are working in a system with guidelines. These guidelines are based on the research that was available at that time. It’s now becoming more obvious that these tumours are appearing in the younger cohort and so guidelines need to be reviewed. GPs themselves need to be aware that bowel cancer is no longer a disease of the over 50s. It is seen in patients even as young as 20s. For GPs, my advice is to ask yourself, “could this be bowel cancer?’. From the patient perspective, GPs are humans working as detectives. They are putting a case together based on your symptoms, signs and the latest guidelines and research in their possession. Don’t be afraid to tell your doctor if you think they have missed the biggest clue. If you feel that there’s something wrong, stress that you would really prefer to be referred to a specialist. There is nothing unreasonable about asking this question to your GP, “could this be bowel cancer?”.

 

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References:

  • [1] [1] Ireland, N.C.R., Cancer in Ireland 1994-2021: Annual report of the National Cancer Registry. NCRI, Cork, Ireland. National Cancer Registry Ireland (2023).
  • [2] Ireland, N.C.R., Cancer in Ireland 1994-2019: Annual report of the National Cancer Registry. NCRI, Cork, Ireland. National Cancer Registry Ireland (2021).
  • [3] Ireland, N.C.R., Cancer in Ireland 1994-2019: Annual report of the National Cancer Registry. NCRI, Cork, Ireland. National Cancer Registry Ireland (2021).
  • [4] Ireland, N.C.R., Cancer trends No. 38. Breast, cervical and colorectal cancer 1994-2019; NCRI, Cork, Ireland. National Cancer Registry Ireland (2022).
  • [5] Ireland, N.C.R., Cancer in Ireland 1994-2018: Annual report of the National Cancer Registry. NCRI, Cork, Ireland. National Cancer Registry Ireland (2020)
  • Also: O'Reilly M, Linehan A, Krstic A, Kolch W, Sheahan K, Winter DC, Mc Dermott R. Oncotherapeutic Strategies in Early Onset Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2023 Jan 16;15(2):552. doi: 10.3390/cancers15020552. PMID: 36672501; PMCID: PMC9856676.
  • [6] Armaroli, P., et al., European Code against Cancer, 4th Edition: Cancer screening. Cancer Epidemiol, 2015. 39 Suppl 1: p. S139-52. [7] European Health Union: Commission welcomes adoption of new EU cancer screening recommendations, 2022. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7548 

 

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