Getting a look inside the giant colon are (from left) Cancer Council Queensland acting executive manager Deborah Gillespie, Brisbane Bowel Cancer Support Group members Ken Eyre, Phil Ganley and Pam Todd, and Cancer Council Queensland health promotion project officer Rachael Bagnall.

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HERE is the experience many Bundaberg people have been waiting for — the chance to walk through a giant colon and see up close what bowel cancer looks like.

Bonnie Dale, Cancer Council Queensland’s Bundaberg cancer action co-ordinator, said visitors to the enormous colon at the Bargara Central shopping centre today would be able to view polyps when they walked through the display.

Ms Dale said more than 160 people in the Bundaberg and Wide Bay area were diagnosed with bowel cancer every year.

“Nearly 900 Queenslanders will die from bowel cancer each year, and almost 60 of these people will be from the Bundaberg and Wide Bay regions,” she said.

“Bowel cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Queensland and there are more than 2700 new cases diagnosed in Queensland annually.”

Ms Dale said bowel cancer was more common in men, with one in 10 Queensland men developing it.

“From the age of 50, the risk of developing bowel cancer increases significantly, with 50% of bowel cancers occurring in people in the 50-69 age range,” she said.

“People do not have to have symptoms or a family history of bowel cancer to be at risk of the disease. Up to 75% of bowel cancers are preventable through changes in diet and lifestyle.”

Ms Dale said anyone with a higher risk of developing the disease, because of their previous history of bowel cancer or polyps or a strong family history of bowel cancer, should consult their doctor – as should anyone who is experiencing symptoms.

She said early detection through a comprehensive screening program was critical to improving bowel cancer survival rates.

“No more ‘buts’ about bowel cancer – we need Queenslanders to tell their federal and state members that they care, by visiting www.getbehindbowelscreening.com.au and sending an email asking our government representatives to make bowel screening available to everyone 50 years and over.”  

PEOPLE AT RISK

• Aged 50 years and over – risk increases with age
• Have a significant family history of bowel cancer or polyps
• Have had an inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis

Giant colon joins the cancer fight

Tags: co ordinator, screening program, Health Medical Pharma, queensland health

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