TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH
The ‘Lifestyle’ Variable:
There IS something YOU can do
Endoscopic screening and adherence to a healthy lifestyle are major avenues for bowel cancer / colorectal cancer prevention.
01.
Healthy eating habits
When it comes to colon cancer, one of the best things you can do to reduce your risk is to pay closer attention to your diet. While there is no guaranteed way to completely prevent colon cancer, there are certain dietary strategies that can help reduce your risk.
While dietary advice will differ from person to person, basic good practice includes avoiding processed foods; eating plenty of fibre from whole grains, pulses, veg and fruit; and avoiding excess calories.
02.
Regular exercise
Physical inactivity is responsible for 12% of colon cancers. (Source: Cancer Council). The Cancer Institute recommends one hour of moderate activity or 30 minutes of vigorous activity every day to help reduce your cancer risk and live a healthier life. Regardless of how old you are, the more you move, the better. Moderate activity noticeably raises your heart rate. Vigorous exercise makes your heart beat even faster and puff or breath rapidly.
03.
Good sleep habits
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine: disruptions in the body’s “biological clock,” which controls sleep and thousands of other functions, may raise the odds of cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries and prostate.
04.
Maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI)
Did you know that being overweight significantly increases your risk of 13 different types of cancer? These include breast (post-menopause), bowel, kidney, liver, endometrial, ovarian, stomach, thyroid, oesophagus, gallbladder, pancreas, multiple myeloma and prostate (advanced) cancers.
Evidence now shows that being overweight or obese is the cause for nearly 5,300 cancer cases in Australia each year. (Source: Cancer Council)
05.
Not smoking and limiting alcohol intake
Bowel cancer risk increases significantly when two or more alcoholic drinks are consumed per day. In 2017–18, 16.1% of people aged 18 and over consumed (on average) more than 2 standard drinks per day, exceeding the lifetime risk guideline. This is down from 20.9% in 2007–08. (AIHW 2020).
Smoking 40 cigarettes (two packs) per day increases the risk of bowel cancer by around 40% and nearly doubles the risk of bowel cancer death.
06.
Choose to be proactive in your healthcare.
If detected early, bowel cancer can be successfully treated in more than 90% of cases. Earlier diagnosis also means treatment can be less invasive. Bowel cancer currently kills more people in NSW than prostate cancer, breast cancer or melanoma. (Source: Cancer Institute) If you have symptoms, talk to your GP. If you don’t have symptoms, take a look at the information on the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program website.
Arm yourself with knowledge. Learn more about why screening saves lives.
Focus on what you can control to minimise your risk factors.
What does the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) say?
WHAT DOES BOWEL CANCER AUSTRALIA SAY?
Lifestyle factors may contribute to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Up to 32% of bowel cancer cases may be prevented by endoscopic screening alone and, when combined with the 5 healthy lifestyle factors* increased to 61%.
I would like a screening. What do I do?
Step 1
Get in touch with your GP to get a referral.
- If you’re an Open Access patient, you may also fill out the form online.
Step 2
Your GP may send the referral directly to Dr Keegan or you may email your GP’s referral below.
- If you’re an Open Access patient, you may also fill out the online form.
Step 3
Once the GP referral is received and accepted, we’ll book your procedure with Dr Keegan.
- If you’re an Open Access patient, you will be contacted to assess your eligibility for the procedure.