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Symptoms Of Bowel Cancer

February 17, 2012 by · Comments Off on Symptoms Of Bowel Cancer 

Symptoms Of Bowel Cancer, FOOTBALL fans will be looking out for bowel cancer symptoms after campaigners raised awareness of the disease at a match.

NHS Bolton was at Wanderers’ clash with Wigan at the Reebok on Saturday to tell men and women how to spot the signs of bowel cancer and to get medical advice early if they think they have any symptoms.

Figures from the public health department at NHS Bolton reveal more women than men get tested for bowel cancer and more men are diagnosed with the cancer. In Bolton, between April and December last year, only 55 per cent of the 5,431 men invited for screening responded, but 69 per cent of women who were asked did so. Eighty abnormal results were returned for men and 48 for women – not all of those were cancerous.

Research has found that two-thirds of bowel cancer cases could be prevented with lifestyle changes.

Drinking plenty of water, taking regular exercise and not smoking can help to cut the chances of developing the disease.

Julie Wright, project worker for the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, said: “The event was a great success. We handed out about 800 leaflets, so hopefully the football supporters of Bolton will be a bit more informed to take part in bowel screening.

“We even spoke with a man who had done the test, had treatment and had his life saved.”

Bowel cancer screening is offered to people aged 60 and over and involves taking a sample at home after being sent a test kit. The sample is then sent off and tested in a laboratory.

The cancer is the third most common in the UK and, if found early, can be cured in nine out of 10 people.

Symptoms include unexplained tiredness or extreme weight loss, a pain on lump in your stomach, changes in bowel habits, particularly going to the toilet more.

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