Campaign targets bowel cancer

People are advised to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day Keystone

The Swiss Cancer League has joined other health organisations in making March the month to raise awareness of one of the most frequent types of cancer.

Bowel cancer causes more than 1,600 deaths every year in Switzerland, with ten new cases diagnosed every day.

More than half of those who suffer from the disease discover the cancer when it is already at an advanced stage. As part of the campaign, the Swiss Cancer League wants to improve prevention and detection.

According to the League’s Ursula Zybach, the risk of bowel cancer – also known as colon or colorectal cancer – increases after the age of 50.

“There are three different risk groups: people with a parent or sibling who have already developed the cancer, those who have previously had polyps or those with chronic inflammation of the bowel.”

Lifestyle factors can also increase the risk of bowel cancer. “Being overweight, not exercising enough or not eating enough fruit and vegetables can be contributory causes.”

To maintain good health in the intestines, people are advised to eat five portions or 600 grams of fruit and vegetables every day. “It’s also important not to eat too much red meat and not to drink too much alcohol,” Zybach adds.

Embarrassment

Bowel cancer develops quietly and painlessly, making it difficult to detect in the early stages. Medical experts estimate that it takes ten years for the cancer to form.

“It’s not easy to realise that there is a cancer growing. Then when the symptoms start there are many people who do not go the doctor, possibly because of embarrassment.”

Symptoms include unexplained weight loss, blood in stools, changes in bowel movements, intestinal problems or persistent abdominal pain.

Any of the above should be checked out by a doctor, Zybach advises. As with all cancers, early detection increases the chances of cure.

The Swiss Cancer League is leading the awareness campaign in collaboration with the Federal Health Office, the Swiss Society of Gastroenterology, the Swiss Society of Internal Medicine and other related organisations.

 

In brief

Bowel or colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum, and it arises from the cells that line the bowel.

About six per cent of the population in Western countries develop bowel cancer at some time during their lives, making this the second most common cause of cancer-related death. However, it is curable in 40 to 50 per cent of cases, usually by surgery.

The average age when bowel cancer is first discovered is 65, and it becomes increasingly common with advancing age.

A significant part of the risk for bowel cancer is thought to be due to dietary factors.

Key facts

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among Swiss women, followed by lung cancer and bowel cancer.
In men lung cancer, prostate cancer and bowel cancer claim the most lives.
Every year 3,700 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer and 1,600 people die from the disease.
The Swiss Cancer League runs a free and confidential telephone information line 0800 55 42 48.