Bowel Cancer Awareness 2024
Published on 30 May 2024
Bowel Cancer Awareness
June marks Bowel Cancer Awareness Month – Bowel Cancer Australia’s initiative to raise awareness of Australia’s second deadliest cancer.
Red Apple Day (Wednesday 19 June) is Bowel Cancer Australia’s Annual Giving Day, when Australians are encouraged to support the charity’s work.
10.7% of all new bowel cancer cases occur in people under the age of 50. 1,680 young people hear those four words ‘you have bowel cancer’ each year and sadly 290 young lives are cut short due to the disease annually.
- Bowel cancer is the 5th most common and 7th deadliest cancer for people aged 15-24.
- Bowel cancer is the deadliest cancer and 6th leading cause of death overall for Australians aged 25-44.
Darren, Active Monash’s Member Engagement Officer, shares his story about battling Bowel Cancer and the implications of it. He is a figure of inspiration and we are proud of him for sharing his journey. Watch his story here.
Modifiable Risk Factors
Physical Activity
Recreational physical activity can reduce chances of colon cancer by 16%.
Aim to be physically active every day where the heart rate is elevated for 30 minutes or more. As fitness improves, increase the length of time you’re active to 60 minutes or engage in vigorous activity.
In 2017-18, 46% of men and 55% of women aged 18-64 did not meet the physical activity guideline – to perform 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week (AIHW 2020).