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Mater doctors are urging people in their 30s and 40s to be alert for the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer following the death of US actor and Dawsons Creek star James Van Der Beek.
Mater Hospital Brisbane gastroenterologist Associate Professor Jake Begun said he routinely sees Queensland patients between 30 and 40 years of age with bowel cancer.
“Over the past two decades, the number of bowel cancer cases in people under 50 has more than doubled in Australia,” Associate Professor Begun said.
“People under 50 now account for around one in nine cases being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
“This is absolutely not a disease that is confined to older people and it’s something which younger Australian need to be conscious of.
“Australia also has the highest rate of bowel and colorectal cancer in people under 50 in the world.”
Almost 15,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in Australia, which claims around 5,000 lives each year.
Associate Professor Begun is urging people to talk to their GPs and ask for testing if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms: changes in bowel movements or in the appearance of stools, blood in stools or rectal bleeding, stomach pain or cramps, abdominal swelling or lumps in the anus.
He is also urging the public to participate in the national bowel screening program.
Around six million people aged over 45 were sent free bowel cancer screening tests last year in Australia, but almost two and a half million people, or more than 40 percent, failed to return their testing kit samples.
“These free screening tests save lives,” Associate Professor Begun said.
“By the time people have bowel cancer symptoms like blood in their stool, stomach pain, fatigue, weight loss or changes in their bowel movements, it normally means the cancer has progressed.
“People can opt in for at home sample screening from 45 to 50 years of age, and then testing is done every two years from 50 onwards.
“People with a family history of bowel cancer or polyps should also consider a colonoscopy because early detection, is the key to a good outcome.”
“Don’t wait, do the test and opt in as soon as you can, because it could save your life.”
“The bottom line is, an easy 20-minute procedure can lead to early detection and treatment, and save lives,” Associate Professor Begun said.
