Bowel Cancer Awareness Month - June 2014

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.  There are more than 14,000 reasons to support Bowel Cancer Australia - one for each person whose life will be changed when they are diagnosed with bowel cancer, and that's just in one year.

Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in Australia affecting both men and women almost equally. It is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer and claims more lives than either breast or prostate cancer.

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month aims to make a difference to these statistics by improving community awareness of bowel cancer. Better understanding of the disease, its symptoms and risk factors can encourage early detection. About 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be treated successfully if detected early.

Bowel cancer is also one of the very few preventable cancers. Improved awareness can also encourage healthy behaviours such as diet and lifestyle changes and regular screening for bowel cancer.

People in the target age from 50 years, at average risk of bowel cancer and without symptoms, are encouraged to take advantage of a Bowel Screen Australia's screening test for bowel cancer prevention and early detection. Other people at higher risk should see their doctor for advice.

Click here to read on how you can participate in Bowel Cancer Awareness during the month of June 2014.

Learn more about bowel management with the education modules below.

Source: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcevent.nsf/pages/BC4636C8266D80794A257BE900110BA3?opendocument, bowelcanceraustralia.org/bca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=169&Itemid=318,  Friday 23 May 2014