Bowel cancer- key stats
.jpg)
- Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, affecting men and women equally.
- Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer affecting both men and women in the UK.
- Every year over 35,000 people in this country are diagnosed with the disease - that's someone every 15 minutes.
- Every year nearly 16,000 people in this country die from bowel cancer - claiming a life every 30 minutes.
- Although 90% of all people diagnosed are over 55 (average age 70) a growing number of younger people are living with the disease.
However
Bowel cancer is hightly treatable if caught in the early stages.Most symptoms do NOT turn out to be bowel cancer.
Reducing your risk
A few simple lifestyle changes can help you reduce the risk of developing the disease- Eat a healthy diet low in fat and high in fibre, including at least five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables a day
- Drink plenty of fresh fluids, water in particular
- Get to know your bowel pattern, so you know what’s normal for you
- Take up regular exercise to keep fit and healthy
- Be aware of your family history. If there is a history of bowel cancer in your family, get yourself checked out
