In New Zealand, rates of bowel cancer are alarmingly high. For women, it’s the third-highest cause of cancer-related deaths, and for men, it ranks second. Bowel cancer can develop silently, often with minimal symptoms until it’s too late. This makes it all the more important to understand your bowel health and keep an eye out for changes that could signal potential problems. What should you do? In this blog post, we’ll dive into why getting to know your bowel habits matters, what’s considered normal, and the steps you can take to protect yourself.
The Importance of Being Aware of Your Bowel Health
Everyone’s bowel habits are unique, and what’s normal for one person might not be for another. By getting familiar with your own bowel movements, you’ll be in a better position to recognize when something’s off. If changes occur you’ll be able to notice them early and seek medical advice. Early treatment can be the key to saving lives, especially when it comes to bowel cancer.
What should you do?
A simple habit you can adopt is to pay attention after you have a bowel movement. After you wipe with toilet paper, take a moment to check it. By observing the colour, shape, and consistency of your stool, you can track changes and notice any abnormalities that could suggest an issue. Keep an eye on how your stool changes with different foods in your diet as well.
What’s normal when it comes to poo?
Bowel movements vary greatly from person to person – there is no one size fits all. Some people may go once a day, while others may go every 2-3 days, or even multiple times a day.
A healthy stool should have the following characteristics:
- Color: Light to dark brown.
- Consistency: Soft, well-formed, possibly with slight cracks on the surface.
- Ease of Passage: It should be easy to pass without too much straining.
- Complete Emptying: You should feel that your bowel has been fully emptied after going.
Watch Out for Changes That Might Indicate a Problem
Certain changes in your bowel movements could point to an underlying issue. Be aware of:
- Blood on Toilet Paper: when wiping, even if it’s just a small amount – see your GP
- Changes in Bowel Habits: persistent constipation or diarrhoea that can’t be explained by something like dietary changes
- Unexplained Weight Loss or Loss of Appetite: These could be signs of a number of conditions, including bowel cancer.
- Fatigue or Tiredness: Constant exhaustion can sometimes be a symptom.
- Abdominal Pain: Any ongoing or unexplained abdominal discomfort should be investigated.
Remember that most of the time if you have these symptoms, it won’t be bowel cancer, but it’s best to see your GP and get checked. If you do have bowel cancer, early detection can make all the difference—bowel cancer has a good chance of cure if caught early.
Bowel screening
We are lucky in New Zealand to have a national bowel screening programme. This is a free government-run programme to help detect bowel cancer early. For more information click here
Conclusion
Bowel cancer is a significant health concern in New Zealand, but with awareness, early detection, and healthy lifestyle choices, many cases can be prevented or successfully treated. By getting familiar with your bowel habits and seeking help when you notice something unusual, you can catch problems early. Don’t ignore the signs—your health is worth paying attention to.
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For information about how we can help with bowel issues click here