Bowel Cancer Statistics

Bowel cancer is the third most common type of newly diagnosed cancer in Australia. 15,610 Australians are told they have bowel cancer each year (300 a week), including 1,680 people under the age of 50.

Bowel cancer claims the lives of 5,354 Australians every year (103 a week), including 290 people under the age of 50.

During the early stages of bowel cancer, people may have no symptoms, which is why screening is so important. As a cancerous tumor grows, it can narrow and block the bowel resulting in changes to the size, shape, and/or

colour of poo, with or without rectal bleeding. These symptoms are often attributed to hemorrhoids or simply ignored.

Any of the below symptoms could be indicative of colon or rectal cancer and should be investigated by your GP if they persist for more than two weeks.

• Blood in your poo or rectal bleeding
• A recent, persistent change in bowel habit (e.g. diarrhoea, constipation or the feeling or incomplete
• emptying)
• A change in the shape or appearance of your poo (e.g. narrower poos or mucus in poo)
• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Pain or a lump in the anus or rectum
• Unexplained anaemia causing tiredness, weakness or weight loss

To learn more, go to www.bowelcanceraustralia.org

(Bowel Cancer Australia, 2022)