Bowel cancer: are you at risk?
Take the quick quiz
Bowel cancer is one of the three of the biggest killers of women in Britain today, but make the right lifestyle changes and you could take yourself, along with female family members and friends, out of the danger zone.
Specialist nurse adviser for Bowel Cancer UK* Carina Powney says: ‘Bowel cancer is one cancer where you can do things to reduce your risk.' If you are concerned about your family history or have any persistent worrying symptoms, talk to your doctor.
1 Do you rarely eat a low-fat, fibre-rich diet that includes your five-a-day?
Yes
No
A diet high in saturated fat and red/processed meats can affect your risk of bowel cancer.
2 Are you overweight?
Yes
No
Risk is particularly linked with weight around the middle of the body.
3 Do you drink more than the recommended amount of alcohol?
Yes
No
The recommended intake is 14 units per week for women (21 for men). Heavy drinking is linked with an increased risk of bowel cancer.
4 Do you have inflammatory bowel disease or ulcerative colitis, or a family history of bowel cancer?
Yes
No
Advise your GP if you have: a first-degree relative (parent/sibling/child) diagnosed with bowel cancer under 45; two first-degree relatives, or one first-degree and one second-degree relative (grandparent/aunt/uncle), of any age with bowel cancer on the same side of your family.
5 Is your lifestyle sedentary?
Yes
No
Lack of exercise is linked with a higher risk of bowel cancer.
Visit www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk to learn more
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