Bowel Cancer Awareness Month 1-30 June.
June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about bowel cancer, Australia’s second-deadliest cancer.
2025 Key statistics
Bowel cancer is Australia’s second-deadliest cancer, but is also one of the most preventable.
Over 15,500 Australians are diagnosed each year.
More than 90% of cases can be successfully treated if found early.
Screening saves lives: The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program offers free screening kits to eligible Australians aged 50–74.
What is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can affect any part of the colon or rectum; it may also be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer is located. - Bowel Cancer Australia
Importance of early detection
Cancer Australia states, "Almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully when detected early." Early detection is crucial for improving survival rates.
Prevention
Risk factors for bowel cancer - Non-modifiable risk factors, i.e., factors that you CAN’T change.
Age and personal health history can affect the risk of developing bowel cancer. Anything that increases your chance of developing bowel cancer is called a cancer risk factor. Some risk factors cannot be avoided, like age, family history, hereditary conditions, and personal health history, all of which influence your bowel cancer risk. These factors cannot be changed and are therefore referred to as ‘non-modifiable.
Age
Age –
The risk of bowel cancer increases with age
As people age, the chance of developing bowel cancer rises, mainly due to polyps that may turn cancerous.
Most diagnoses occur between ages 70–74, with incidence rates increasing sharply after 50. Although less common in younger adults, bowel cancer cases under 50 are rising, having more than doubled since 2000.
Lifetime risk in Australia
Women have about a 1 in 16 chance of developing bowel cancer and a 1 in 35 chance of dying from it.
Men have about a 1 in 15 chance of developing bowel cancer and a 1 in 35 chance of dying from it.
These are average risks; your risk may vary. (Source: Bowel Cancer Australia, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and Cancer Australia)
2. Family history of bowel cancer.
2. Family history of bowel cancer.
In Australia, about 70% of people diagnosed with bowel cancer have no family history of the disease.
However, around 30% of cases are linked to family history, hereditary factors, or both.
The risk increases if more family members are affected, especially if they were diagnosed at a younger age.
While some inherited genetic mutations contribute to bowel cancer risk, most cases occur in people without a known hereditary link.
(Source: Bowel Cancer Australia and Cancer Council
3. Genetic mutations and bowel cancer
3. Genetic mutations and bowel cancer
Some people inherit genetic mutations that increase their risk of bowel cancer. These inherited gene changes cause about 5% to 10% of all bowel cancer cases.
The three main inherited conditions linked to bowel cancer are:
Lynch syndrome (also called Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer, or HNPCC)
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
MYH-Associated Polyposis (MAP)
Lynch syndrome (HNPCC):
Caused by a fault in genes that help repair DNA.
If you have this mutation, your lifetime risk of bowel or related cancers is 70–90%.
Each child of someone with the mutation has a 50% chance of inheriting it.
People with Lynch syndrome often get bowel cancer at a younger age (40–50 years).
Regular screening with colonoscopy is usually recommended from age 25, or earlier if there is a strong family history.
If Lynch syndrome is suspected, your GP may refer you to a Family Cancer Clinic for advice and ongoing care. (Source: Bowel Cancer Australia.)
4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) includes two main conditions: (a) Crohn’s disease and (b) ulcerative colitis.
Both cause long-term inflammation in the bowel, but they are not the same as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which is a different condition.
(a) Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, but most often causes inflammation in the last part of the small intestine or the colon and rectum.
(b) Ulcerative colitis mainly affects the colon and rectum, causing inflammation in the innermost lining of the bowel.
Having IBD increases the risk of developing bowel cancer, especially if the disease has lasted many years or affects a large part of the bowel. (Source: Bowel Cancer Australia.)
Modifiable risk factors i.e. factors that you CAN change.
Alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption
Bowel cancer risk increases significantly when two or more alcoholic drinks are consumed per day.
If you choose to drink alcohol, limit the amount.
- Bowel Cancer Australia
2. Polyp removal
2. Polyp removal
Individuals whose cancers were detected through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme had a 40% lower risk of dying compared to those who had not been screened.
Most bowel polyps are adenomas (an adenoma is a benign tumor of epithelial tissue with glandular origin, glandular characteristics, or both), which have the potential to develop into bowel cancer.
Removing bowel polyps larger than 1 cm may reduce the risk of bowel cancer. It is not yet known whether removing smaller polyps also lowers this risk.
By removing polyps, it is possible to prevent them from becoming precancerous and developing into bowel cancer in the future.
Please note: potential risks associated with polyp removal during colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy include a tear in the bowel wall and bleeding.
Take part in a screening that is appropriate for your level of risk.
3. Aspirin
3. Aspirin
Long-term use (five years or more) of at least 75 mg per day of aspirin may reduce the risk of bowel cancer. (Source: Cancer Council).
Please note: possible harms of aspirin use include an increased risk of bleeding in the stomach, intestines, or brain. (Source: Bowel Cancer UK and National Library of Medicine, Newcastle University).
Always consult your GP before starting aspirin.
4. Red and processed meat
4. Red and processed meat
Eating large amounts of red meat (such as beef, lamb, pork, or goat) is linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer. (Source: Cancer Australia, Cancer Council NSW, and Bowel Cancer Australia).
There is strong evidence that consuming processed meats—including bacon, ham, salami, frankfurts, and some sausages—significantly increases the risk of bowel cancer. (Source: Cancer Council NSW, Cancer Council).
The World Health Organization classifies processed meats as a Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer), and red meat as a Group 2A carcinogen (probably causes cancer) (Source: Cancer Council NSW, Cancer Council).
If you eat red meat, Cancer Council and Cancer Australia recommend limiting intake to no more than three to four serves per week, or about 350–500 grams of cooked lean red meat weekly. It is best to eat very little, if any, processed meat.
When cooking red meat, reduce your risk by avoiding burning or charring. You can partly cook meat in the oven before barbecuing to shorten time over open flames, keep temperatures lower, and use marinades to help protect the meat from burning. (Source: Cancer Council NSW).
To further reduce your cancer risk, try to include more plant-based foods in your diet and replace red or processed meats with alternatives like poultry, fish, eggs, legumes, tofu, or nuts. (Source: Cancer Council NSW and Cancer Council Victoria.)
5. Body fatness
5. Body fatness
Body Fatness
Having higher levels of body fat, measured by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, or waist-to-hip ratio, increases your risk of developing bowel cancer.
In Australia, maintaining a healthy weight throughout life is important for reducing cancer risk. Aim to keep your BMI within the healthy range (18.5–24.9) and your waist circumference below 94 cm for men and below 80 cm for women.
Staying within the normal range for your age and height is recommended. Regular physical activity and a balanced diet can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
(Source: Cancer Council Australia – Body weight and cancer risk, Studying the link between physical activity, body fat and cancer risk).
6. Smoking
6. Smoking
Smoking 40 cigarettes (two packs) per day increases the risk of bowel cancer by around 40% and nearly doubles the risk of bowel cancer death.
Quit smoking and avoid exposure to tobacco smoke. - Bowel Cancer Australia
7. Dairy products and calcium supplements
7. Dairy products and calcium supplements
Dairy products and calcium supplements are linked to a reduced risk of bowel cancer.
Australian sources report that regularly consuming dairy foods such as milk, yoghurt, and cheese—ideally 2–3 serves per day of mostly reduced-fat varieties—can help lower your risk. For example, having 400 grams of dairy daily is associated with a 15% lower risk, and an extra 200 grams of milk or 200 mg of dietary calcium per day is linked to about a 6% decrease in bowel cancer risk.
Calcium supplements may also provide protection if you cannot meet your needs through diet alone. If you are lactose intolerant or avoid dairy, consult your GP or a nutritionist about suitable calcium-rich alternatives or supplements.
(Source: Cancer Council Australia – Dairy foods and cancer, Bowel Cancer Australia – Modifiable risk factors, Cancer Council NSW – Dairy foods and calcium, Bowel Cancer Australia – A glass of milk could help reduce bowel cancer risk).
8. Wholegrains and dietary fiber
8. Wholegrains and dietary fiber
Consuming wholegrains and foods high in dietary fiber lowers your risk of bowel cancer.
Eating at least 90 grams of wholegrains daily—such as brown rice or wholemeal bread—can reduce your risk by 17%.
Dietary fiber from wholegrains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds helps keep your digestive system healthy and further reduces bowel cancer risk.
Aim for at least 4–6 serves of grain foods each day, with most being wholegrain or wholemeal varieties.
Increasing your intake of fibre and wholegrains is a simple, effective way to protect against bowel cancer and support overall health. (Source: Bowel Cancer Australia, Cancer Council NSW, Cancer Council, Cancer Council Victoria).
8. Physical activity
8. Physical activity
Physical activity can reduce the risk of colon cancer by 16%.
To gain this benefit, aim to be physically active every day in a way that elevates your heart rate for at least 30 minutes.
As your fitness improves, increase the duration to 60 minutes or include more vigorous activity.
Limiting sedentary behaviours, such as watching television, is also recommended.
Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine—walk more and sit less—to help lower your risk of colon cancer. (Source: Bowel Cancer Australia).
01 - Blood in your stools or rectal bleeding.
02 - A recent, persistent change in bowel habit (e.g., diarrhea, constipation, or the feeling of incomplete emptying).
03 - A change in the shape or appearance of your stools (e.g., narrower or mucus in stools).
04 - Frequent gas pain or cramps.
05 - Abdominal pain or swelling.
05 - Pain or a lump.
06 - Unexplained anemia causing tiredness, weakness, or weight loss.
07 - Unexplained anaemia, weakness, or weight loss.
08 - A feeling that the bowel has not emptied after going to the toilet.
Talk to your GP if you are experiencing any of the described symptoms for two weeks or more.
During the early stages of bowel cancer, people may have no symptoms, which is why screening is so important.
How is bowel cancer diagnosed?
If you have symptoms of bowel cancer for two weeks or longer, your GP should refer you to a specialist for further investigation, which may include a colonoscopy. While there is no explicit national mandate that this must occur within 30 days, timely referral is recommended, especially if symptoms persist. (Source: Cancer Council NSW, RACCP).
For people without symptoms, a positive result from an at-home faecal immunochemical test (FIT, also known as iFOBT) should prompt referral to a specialist for colonoscopy for further investigation. (Source: Cancer Council NSW, RACCP).
Screening and prevention
From 1 July 2024, Australians aged 45 to 74 are eligible for a free at-home bowel cancer screening test every two years through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. People aged 45–49 can request their first kit online, by phone, or through their GP, while those aged 50–74 will continue to automatically receive a kit every two years.
Screening is not routinely recommended for those outside the 45–74 age range, but may be considered after discussion with a healthcare professional. The test is a simple kit that checks for hidden blood in your stool, and clear instructions are provided with the kit17.
To find out how to do a screen test, click here.
In conclusion
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is an important opportunity to raise awareness and promote early detection of Australia’s second most commonly diagnosed cancer.
Early detection saves lives—participate in regular screening if you’re eligible, and encourage friends and family to do the same.
By staying informed and adopting healthy lifestyle habits, we can all help reduce the impact of bowel cancer. Let’s spread the word and take proactive steps for better health.