INCREASES IN the incidence of bowel cancer in Ireland over the past two decades may be due to multiple factors, but increased awareness of the symptoms leading to earlier intervention will result in better outcomes, according to a leading expert on the illness.
Prof Liam Kirwan, professor of surgery at Cork University Hospital, told The Irish Timesthat the importance of improving awareness of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer cannot be understated.
“The prognosis with bowel cancer, as with all cancers, is directly proportional to the stage at which it is diagnosed,” said Prof Kirwan.
He said that while it is not possible to diagnose all cases of bowel cancer at an early stage, as some patients can present relatively early with advanced tumours, even many of those with what might be considered advanced tumours can still beat the disease.
Bowel cancer is the second most deadly type of cancer in Ireland after lung cancer, and a study by the Irish Cancer Society found that of the 2,216 new cases of bowel cancer diagnosed in 2008, over 50 per cent were diagnosed with level-three or level-four bowel cancer – the most advanced form.
Prof Kirwan said this was not hugely different to other countries, but he noted that an Irish Cancer Survey of 1,000 people carried out in 2009 found that 34 per cent could not name a single symptom, while 36 per cent could not name a single risk factor for the disease.
“Bowel cancer is very common but, unfortunately, most people are not aware of this type of cancer or are too embarrassed to talk about it. Males in particular are reticent about coming forward. It’s a regrettable feature of the male of the species; women are better at looking after their health.
“Of course, bowel cancer can also occur in relatively young people who wouldn’t see themselves as vulnerable,” said Prof Kirwan who, with the Colorectal Assessment Clinic at Cork University Hospital, is holding a public information session on the disease at the hospital at 2pm on Saturday.
A number of clinicians from CUH with expertise in bowel cancer will speak at the free information event, and will discuss a range of topics, including signs and symptoms, who is at risk, where to go for help, what happens after diagnosis, and current and future treatments.
The Colorectal Assessment Clinic, which will form part of the Regional Cancer Centre South at CUH, has seen a 200 per cent increase in those attending the clinic since it was established in 2000, and has seen more that 3,500 patients.
More information on bowel cancer is available at visit cancer.ie