Bowel Cancer really scares me. Both as a doctor and as a patient. The first signs of bowel cancer can often be too late. Once the cancer has spread rom the bowel to other organs like the liver , the treatment is more difficult and the success much less.

I have lost many good patients from bowel cancer. It is now time to fight back.

The government has released guidelines for the early detection of Bowel cancer. If you have plenty of time on your hands then you can read the guidelines for yourself at :

http://www.health.gov.au/nhmrc/publicat/pdf/cp62.pdf

I have read it and can offer you a short summary now. Basically the best test to detect bowel cancer is a colonoscopy. If every Australian was to undergo a colonoscopy then the entire health care dollar would be devoted to this one problem. In summary the recommendations state that there are two groups of people , those at high risk and those at normal risk (remember anyone can get bowel cancer)

High risk

These people need a colonoscopy at intervals determined by the gastroenterologist. This group of people include those who have had previous cancer , polyps, bowel diseases ( see your doctor) and a first degree relative with cancer or polyps (Parent or sibling). Please see me if to determine your risk status.

Normal risk

An annual pathology test on your faeces after the age of fifty is recommended. Come and see me or the chemist and we will direct you to the right test