Regular checks best safeguard against bowel cancer

Sandy Birse is a firm believer in early checks for bowel cancer.

The 48-year-old Auckland man's cancer is a warning to others as to how quickly it can occur.

He says he experienced general tiredness but put it down to working long hours as a computer consultant.

After about four weeks he became constipated - one of the tell-tale signs of colorectal cancer.

He underwent a colonoscopy during which a flexible tube and light are passed into the bowel to aid diagnosis. Unfortunately, in his case, the procedure missed the cancer.

It was a further month before cancer was diagnosed.

"I may have been a little better if it had been found that much earlier because, on confirmation, it was estimated I'd had it for about six months ... but it is so difficult.

"You're inclined to think you've got a little tummy bug which will pass in about a week or so, not thinking the worst.

"But, wham, it hit me so quickly."

He feels he has been helped by Camptosar, one of the chemotherapy drugs now available on a public hospital free list.

It has brought a dramatic decline in the activity of tumours in his liver - secondary cancer that has spread from his bowel.

Facts

* More than half a million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer of the large bowel (colon) or rectum each year.

* Around 7200 people annually die in NZ from cancer, at least 1000 of these from bowel cancer.

* Achieving a complete cure depends on early diagnosis.

* Specialists say we must get over our embarrassment of having problems "down there".

* But what are the facts about the least-talked-about cancer, and what protects against it?

* A diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables and lots of fibre seems to help, and there is evidence that eating a lot of meat may increase the risk. Raw or lightly cooked vegetables are especially good.

* Often bowel cancer has no symptoms, especially early on. But some signs may include diarrhoea or constipation that lasts more than a couple of weeks, blood or heavy mucus in the stool, or a feeling of still wanting to go to the toilet after just going.

* For more information, contact your local Cancer Society branch or call 0800-800-426.