Bowel Cancer Awareness at the Irish Cancer Society

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness month and as part of our national awareness campaign, the Irish Cancer Society (the Society) is urging people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease. According to the National Cancer Registry Ireland, nearly 2,600 people in Ireland are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year. Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Ireland; it is the second most common cancer amongst men, and the third most common amongst women. As with all cancers, the earlier you are diagnosed, the more treatment options available to you and the better your chance of cure. Most recent official data shows that 483 fewer cases of bowel cancers were registered in the first year of the pandemic, compared to what was expected. Clinicians are now seeing more advanced diagnoses, patients that possibly delayed going to their GP during the pandemic.

Due to the embarrassing nature of the signs and symptoms of the disease, delayed diagnosis has unfortunately been a long-standing issue. We are urging the public to go to their GP, if they notice any changes in their bowel habit. Changes including;