The Irish Cancer Society is launching a major campaign to increase awareness of bowel cancer signs and symptoms and the importance of early detection, at an event in their Dublin headquarters today (March 5th, 2009).

This follows the publication of a national bowel cancer awareness survey of 1,000 people aged 15+ years commissioned by the Irish Cancer Society and conducted during Summer 2008, which shows a stark lack of knowledge of the early signs and symptoms of bowel cancer and the measures which can be taken to prevent this common cancer.

The key results of this survey showed that:

• 36% of people cannot name one sign or symptom of bowel cancer.
• 25% of people do not know factors which might increase their risk of developing bowel cancer.
• Four in ten people believe that people under 50 years of age are most at risk of developing bowel cancer - in fact 90% of people diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2005 were over the age of 50.

Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in Ireland, after lung cancer. In 2005 2,184 new cases of bowel cancer were diagnosed and 924 people died from the disease. Over fifty percent of patients in Ireland are diagnosed with Stage 3 or 4 bowel cancer - the most advanced stages which have very poor survival rates.

‘These alarming statistics, combined with the findings of this national bowel cancer awareness survey commissioned by the Society, highlight the urgent need to increase the awareness of the incidence of bowel cancer, early signs and symptoms and the absolute necessity for early detection to improve chances of survival’ said Head of Advocacy and Communication in the Irish Cancer Society, Kathleen O’Meara.

Nursing Services Manager at the Irish Cancer Society, Joan Kelly said, ‘Early detection of bowel cancer saves lives and that’s why the Irish Cancer Society is encouraging people to learn more about bowel health. We are telling people that they can take action to reduce the risk of getting bowel cancer and this action could save their life. We are highlighting this issue because people are literally dying of embarrassment by not knowing, confronting or being aware of the various symptoms of bowel cancer.’

At the launch event at the Irish Cancer Society Minister of State, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Tony Killeen spoke of his bowel cancer diagnosis in October 2008 and his on-going treatment.

Minister Killeeen said ‘I made the decision to speak out about my personal cancer experience because I know what a difference it makes to catch it early. If I had been more aware, I might have got it even earlier. Awareness saves lives, and I am proof of that.’

The Society has designated April 2009 as Ireland’s first ever Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and is committed to increasing and today unveiled an intensive advertising and media campaign designed to increase awareness of the early signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.

The high profile campaign will comprise a series of events as well as an intensive advertising (radio, press, outdoor and online) throughout the month of April. Included in the Society’s activities is a public seminar to communicate the vital bowel cancer messages. At the heart of the campaign will be the National Cancer Helpline staffed by specialist nurses where anyone can ring (Freefone 1800 200 700), email (helpline@irishcancer.ie) or call into the Irish Cancer Society offices at 43/45 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4, to discuss their concerns about bowel cancer.

Furthermore Kathleen O’Meara said the Irish Cancer Society is committed to reducing the number of deaths from bowel cancer and highlighting unnecessarily long waiting lists for colonoscopies, which is the crucial test to detect bowel cancer.

“While there has been an improvement in the waiting times for colonoscopies, there are still 287 patients waiting longer than six months for this vital procedure. With more than half of bowel cancer patients being diagnosed very late, it is vital that this crucial test be available within weeks, not months”, she said.

She said the Irish Cancer Society also wants to see the rollout of a free national bowel cancer screening programme for people over 50 years of age.

“Screening saves lives and there is evidence to show that a bowel cancer screening programme would start to save lives immediately. It is also the least expensive of all the screening programmes and would pay for itself in five years”, she said.

BOWEL CANCER - THE FACTS

• Every year in Europe there are 400,000 people diagnosed with bowel cancer and 212,000 people die from it. Bowel cancer is therefore the 2nd most common cause of cancer in Europe and it is the 2nd most common cause of death (Felix Burda Foundation, 2007). 
• According to the most up-to-date figures from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) bowel cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in Ireland, with 2184 new cases in 2005. 
• It is the 2nd most common cause of cancer death, with 924 deaths in 2005. These account for more than 12% of all cancer deaths. 
• Between 1995 and 2005 the incidence of new cases of bowel cancer grew by 22% from 1,711 to 2,184. 
• In Ireland there is a high incidence-to-mortality rate of approximately 1 death to every 2 cancer cases. 
• Survival rates are low for bowel cancer at any stage (M=48%  W=51%).
• The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with bowel cancer is around 1 in 23 for women and 1 in 25 for men.
• In 2005, 80% of people diagnosed with bowel cancer were over the age of 60. 14% were aged between 50-59 years, 25% were between 60-69 years, 34% were aged between 70-79 years and 21% were over the age of 80 years.

Bowel Cancer Warning Signs

• Change in bowel habits lasting more than a month
• Bleeding from the back passage
• Regular feeling of trapped wind or fullness in the stomach area
• Feeling as though there is something left to pass even after bowel movement
• Pain or discomfort in stomach area or back passage
• Weight loss for no apparent reason
• Ongoing tiredness or weakness.

Bowel Cancer Risk Factors

• Age
• Having a family history of bowel cancer
• Having a family history of polyps (abnormal growths of tissue in the lining of the bowel)
• Having a diet which is high in fat and low in fruit, vegetables and fibre
• Lack of physical activity
• Obesity
• Alcohol
• Smoking