Bowel Cancer Awareness #NoRegrets 2024

This Bowel Cancer Awareness month, The Marie Keating Foundation has partnered with patient ambassadors and medical professionals to share an important message with you all.

Bowel Cancer is also known as Colorectal cancer. Bowel cancer is cancer that starts in the large bowel (colon cancer) or back passage (rectal cancer). According to the 2023 National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) report, 2,560 men and women are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Ireland every year 1,466 men and 1,093 women. It is the second most common cancer in men in Ireland and the third most common cancer in women.

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 avail of their free FIT test from Bowel Screen if aged over 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. The Marie Keating Foundation is making an urgent call to Government to reduce the age of bowel cancer screening from 59 to 50, as startling figures show that one in five people diagnosed with the disease in Ireland is to someone under 60 [4]. No matter your age, please do not dismiss any concerning changes in your body, if you notice any of the signs and symptoms or have any concerns about changes in your body, have #NoRegrets and immediately talk to your GP, if you are still concerned persist and get a second opinion.

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]. The National Cancer Registry Ireland figures show that the incidence of bowel cancer amongst those under 50 has almost doubled in just 25 years [2,3]. 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.

 

Bowel Cancer- Facts

In Ireland, around 2,560 people each year develop cancer of the bowel, also known as colon, rectal or colorectal cancer.

Bowel cancer affects both men and women, 1,466 are men and 1,093 are women.

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

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

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

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 "This campaign holds immense significance as it aims to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer and emphasises to everyone, regardless of age, the importance of paying attention to any bodily changes and get checked without delay. For those aged 59 and above, please avail of the free FIT test sent out to you by BowelScreen. By addressing common barriers such as age-related misconceptions and embarrassment, we aspire to facilitate early diagnosis, recognising the pivotal role it plays for a positive outcome . We know that early detection matters when it comes to a cancer diagnosis and we are highlighting that whatever regrets you might have in life, don’t regret not taking action earlier and ignoring any changes in your body.”

Dr Fiona Macken, a Dublin-based GP, is supporting #NoRegrets “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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