Are you over 50? Get tested for bowel cancer and gastrointestinal diseases

Detection of early warning signs often means health concerns are simpler to treat

When we are feeling healthy and well, it may not occur to us to have tests for underlying health issues that are not showing any symptoms. The difficulty this presents is that often when we begin to experience symptoms, this can be an indication that an illness has reached an advanced stage. Fortunately, a simple and non-invasive test is available to detect early signs of bowel or colorectal cancer and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

The vast majority of cases of bowel cancer are recorded in people who are over the age of 50, and men have a slightly higher risk of developing the disease than women. GEMS is encouraging all members over 50 years to have a faecal occult blood test, which tests a stool sample for the presence of blood as this can be an early warning sign of bowel cancer or diseases in the stomach, intestines and rectum.

Cancer is the abnormal and uncontrolled multiplication of cells in the body and is not infectious, meaning that it cannot be passed on from person to person. It is usually painless at first and the sufferer is unaware of it, which means that appropriate testing for people at higher risk of cancer - such as those over 50 or people who have a family history of colorectal cancer - is important to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.

If a faecal occult blood test picks up any potential cause for concern, your doctor may need to perform a colonoscopy, which is a procedure whereby a doctor checks the inner lining of the large intestine with a thin, flexible tube.

One possible early sign of colorectal cancer is the presence of polyps, some of which may become cancerous if they are not successfully removed. These days, it is possible to have many polyps removed with a special tool during a colonoscopy while the patient is sedated.

While gastrointestinal diseases and bowel cancers can affect anyone, there is much we can do to help keep the stomach and intestinal tract healthy.

A good diet and regular physical activity can help us to maintain our health throughout our lives. Obesity and a lack of physical activity may contribute to the development of a number of different cancers, including bowel or colorectal cancer.

Avoiding foods that are high in saturated fats, sugary foods and drinks, and charred and fried meats can help. A diet rich in vegetables, fruit and whole grains can help to make us stronger and help prevent cancer. Fibre contained in these types of food help to keep the gut clean, which in turn can assist to ward off a number of potential health problems.

Many South Africans enjoy eating a lot of red meat but it should be remembered that both red and processed meat consumption are associated with higher incidence of colon cancer. A number of studies suggest that diets that are higher in fresh fruits and vegetables may assist in reducing the risk for certain types of cancer.

Smoking and immoderate alcohol use have also been associated with higher risk for cancer. Quit these unhealthy habits and get active, as exercise and a lower proportion of body fat to muscle can help to reduce the chance of a range of health concerns including bowel cancer.

Before you have the faecal occult blood test, it is important to avoid the following types of food for at least three days, as they can interfere with the accuracy of the results. Avoid red meat, turnips, beets, radishes, horseradish, artichokes, mushrooms, broccoli, bean sprouts, cauliflower, apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, and melon. Speak to your general practitioner if you are taking prescription medicine that contains aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or any other medicine that may cause irritation or inflammation of the stomach or intestines. Also avoid vitamin C and iron supplements.

Women should not have the test while they are having their menstrual period, and people suffering from bleeding haemorrhoids should also not have the test as these can cause the faecal blood occult test to reflect a false positive result.

References
http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/colorectal-cancer/risk-factors-and-prevention
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ud3788