Bowel cancer

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the most commonly

diagnosed internal cancer in Australia in both men and women.

Bowel cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers. More than 90 per cent of people survive bowel cancer if it’s detected and treated at an early stage. Reducing known lifestyle risk factors and regular bowel screening are vital tools in preventing the disease.

It can start in any part of the large bowel (colon or rectum), and may also be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where it is located. Most bowel cancers start as benign, non-threatening growths – called polyps – on the wall or lining of the bowel. Polyps are usually harmless, but some types, including adenomatous polyps, can become cancerous if left undetected. In advanced cases, the cancerous tumour can spread beyond the bowel to other organs.

• Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in Australia, after lung cancer
• Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world, with more than 14,000 new cases diagnosed each year
• About 4000 Australians die from the disease annually, eclipsing deaths from breast or prostate cancer
• In Victoria alone, more than 1300 die each year – more than triple the state’s road toll
• Bowel cancer affects men and women of all ages in almost equal numbers
• One in 12 Australians will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime The risk of developing bowel cancer increases with age
• While 90 per cent of bowel cancers occur in people aged 50 and over, about 1000 younger Australians are diagnosed each year

The screening test for bowel cancer is called a Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOB), and is used for people who have no obvious symptoms.

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise when you are undergoing cancer treatment is proven to have profound benefits. Research shows that if you are active and eat well while you have medical treatment, it may improve your quality of life, reduce your risk of cancer recurrence, increase your chance of survival and extend your life.

However, it can be difficult to know what to eat and how much to exercise. That’s why Cabrini offers cancer patients advice on nutrition and exercise that is backed by science and tailored to individual circumstances. Our dietitians offer nutritional support during cancer treatment to help you with weight management and advise you on the correct meal choices.

We also have a team of exercise physiologists to support you with your exercise needs. The cancer experience can take a heavy physical and mental toll on patients, and exercise is a safe and effective way to counteract some of the side effects. The latest evidence suggests regular exercise before, during and/or following cancer treatment decreases the severity of adverse effects. It has also been linked to reduced risk of developing new cancers and conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Please ask your specialist for more information. Visit our Cabrini Cancer Exercise and Wellness Centre or call the centre on (03) 9508 1840 for further information. For referral queries or to book an appointment contact ACCESS Ph: (03) 9508 1700 Fax: (03) 9508 1455 Email: access@cabrini.com.au

The Cancer Oncology Society of Australia’s Position Statement on Exercise in Cancer Care is also a great source of information.

For further information about bowel cancer, please refer to our Let’s Beat Bowel Cancer.

One of the benefits of being cared for at Cabrini is our dedication to world-class research. Cabrini’s Oncology Clinical Trials Program gives eligible cancer patients access to pioneering treatments, including immunotherapy and targeted therapies, for a range of cancers. The program was established in 2003 and provides state-of-the-art care for

cancer patients and continued advancements in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. We achieve this through a combination of research, education and clinical practice.

Your specialist will discuss any clinical trials offered at Cabrini, and other hospitals, that you may be eligible for. They may also connect you to relevant special access programs, which give patients access to new drugs before they are subsidised by the government.

Victoria offers four complimentary programs for people experiencing financial hardship as the result of their cancer diagnosis: the Legal Referral Service, the Financial Planning Referral Service, the Workplace Advisory Service and the Small Business Advice Service. Industry professionals volunteer to deliver these programs to patients experiencing financial difficulties. Cancer Council Victoria offers advice in its Cancer and Your Finances Guide. It also helps refer patients to services that may be useful.

At Cabrini we are also able to connect you to a social worker, who can give you information about accessing superannuation and other financial advice. We understand cancer patients can experience financial hardship as a result of their diagnosis and treatment, so we offer patients receiving certain treatments in the day unit a subsidy to a number of services such as emergency admissions, pathology and radiology. Ask your doctor or nurse about the Cabrini Chemotherapy Card eligibility, and how it can be used to offset some of the costs of care.