Bowel Cancer Awareness Month June 18, 2018

Why you need to ‘get behind it’!

Each year, 15,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer and of these cases, 90 per cent can be treated successfully if found early. Sounds incredible right? Wrong.

Unfortunately, fewer than 40 per cent of all bowel cancer cases are detected early, largely because Australians are unaware of the need to have screenings.

Bowel Cancer Australia is striving to build awareness of how to prevent the disease, through initiatives like Bowel Cancer Awareness month, held in in June, and Red Apple Day, where Australians are encouraged to show their support.

What is Bowel Cancer Awareness month?

Bowel Cancer Awareness month aims to raise awareness of the cancer, particularly in regard to saving lives through early detection. This is because it’s one of the most treatable types of cancer, if found early.

This year, Bowel Cancer Australia is asking the public to ‘Get Behind It’ and help spread the word. The team behind Bowel Cancer Australia is dedicated to promoting prevention, screening and treating bowel cancer, before it’s too late. They are also working hard to raise funds for research into the disease.

The facts

Across the nation, bowel cancer has an alarmingly high death rate, particularly for a disease that is largely treatable.

Here are some more facts about the disease and how it affects Australians:

• Bowel cancer claims the lives of more than 80 Australians every week
• Bowel cancer is Australia’s second deadliest cancer
• Approximately 1 in 12 people will develop bowel cancer in their life
• Approximately 25 per cent of all bowel cancer cases have a hereditary contribution or family history.

How to get involved

If you’re looking to get involved with Bowel Cancer Awareness month, you can show your support by:

• Purchasing goods from Bowel Cancer Australia’s online store, including Red Apple Pins, singlets and drink bottles
• Selling Bowel Cancer Awareness Ribbons – for more information, visit: bowelcancerawarenessmonth.org/sell-apple-pins
• Hosingt a fundraising event for Red Apple Day (June 20^th).

Have you already been involved with Bowel Cancer Awareness month?