Today, 16 June is Red Apple Day for Bowel Cancer Awareness.
June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and the 16th June is Red Apple Day for Bowel Cancer – Bowel Cancer Australia’s signature event to raise awareness of Australia’s second deadliest Cancer and funds for the leading community-funded charity dedicated to prevention, early diagnosis, research, quality treatment and the best care for everyone affected by Bowel Cancer.
Bowel Cancer claims the lives of 101 Australians every week (5,255 people a year) – but it’s one of the most treatable types of Cancer if found early.
If you are aged between 50-74 you can join the Bowel Cancer Screening Program, which involves doing a Bowel Cancer Test every 2 years. Call 1800 627 701 if you are over 50 and would like to join.
If you are outside this age bracket, but have concerns about Bowel Cancer you can speak to your GP or order a test kit online – you will just need to pay for it (around $40). Call 1800 930 998 to order your kit.
The most common symptoms of Bowel Cancer include blood in your poo, a change in bowel habits (such as unusual episodes of diarrhoea or constipation), a change in appearance of your poo/mucus in poo, frequent gas or cramps or abdominal pain.
It pays to be in tune with your body and test if necessary, because when diagnosed early almost 99 percent of cases can be successfully treated.
It is a common misconception that Bowel Cancer only occurs when you are older, but the reality is that you should never be told that you are too young to have Bowel Cancer if you are experiencing some of the above symptoms for more than 2 weeks.
Look out for Aimee from the CHWB Team who will be around town, handing out Red Apples with Bowel Cancer information on them!
For further information, visit www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/
