June was Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in New Zealand – a timely reminder of the importance of early detection, screening, and open conversations about a disease that claims the lives of more than 1,200 Kiwis each year. With one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world, New Zealanders are urged to take bowel health seriously.    

So let us break the taboo about talking about poo, as one is less likely to die of embarrassment than from bowel cancer!
Bowel cancer, or colorectal cancer, affects people of all ages, hence Bowel Cancer NZ’s ‘Never Too Young’ campaign to challenge this myth.  Visit www.bowelcancernz.org.nz/never-too-young to learn more.
Bowel cancer often develops silently, with no symptoms in the early stages. Key signs to look out for include:

• changes in bowel habits,
• blood in the stools or poo,
• unexplained weight loss, or
• persistent abdominal or stomach discomfort.

Some patients may notice reduced energy levels and a sense of fatigue due to blood loss.
If you, your family or friends notice any of these symptoms, don’t sit on it, get checked out right away, as the awesome good news is that bowel cancer can be curable if caught early. The best way to assess for bowel cancer is through a colonoscopy (a flexible camera assessment of your colon or large bowel).
During this procedure, we also take great care to look for polyps. These are often small growths that form on the inner lining of the large bowel (colon). They do not usually cause symptoms. They are benign but some polyp types can be thought of as pre-cancerous, meaning they can slowly turn into cancer over time if they aren't removed.  Thus, removing these types of polyps via a colonoscopy is the best way to reduce your risk of bowel cancer.
Small changes can also lead to big benefits. Here are five everyday tips that can help you take control of your bowel health and reduce your risk of colorectal cancer:

1. Focus on increasing physical exercise.
2. Reduce your intake of processed and red meats.
3. Reduce your alcohol intake.
4. Quit smoking.
5. Take in plenty of dietary fibre and wholegrains.

Your health is worth it. Don’t just sit on your symptoms, get checked, and make change happen.

Waitematā Endoscopy is proud to be part of the solution – offering expert care, state-of-the-art facilities, and a compassionate team dedicated to your wellbeing.

Dr Sam Seleq, Gastroenterologist & Endoscopist, MBChB 2014, FRACP 2021