Bowel cancer on the increase warns surgeon

More than 10 per cent of all incidences of bowel cancer in the country in 2011 were diagnosed in people from the Westcountry, a new report has revealed.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) annual cancer registration figures show that bowel cancer rates have increased – nationally and in our region – making it the third most common cancer for men and woman.

Of 34,044 registered cases of bowel cancer in 2011, 12% or 4,173, of those were within the South West. The region is home to about 8% of the country’s population.

Mark Coleman, director of Bowel Cancer West and consultant surgeon at Derriford Hospital, which is run by Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “New figures on cancer rates show that bowel cancer remains one of the most prominent cancers in this country.

“It is the third most common cancer in both men and women, yet many people know relatively little about it. Despite a nationwide screening programme, bowel cancer rates are on the rise, with a 2.5 per cent increase at a national level within a year, and 2.4 per cent in the South West.

“What we must take notice of from these figures is that bowel cancer is a threat that must not be underestimated.

“We need to be proactive in our fight against it and people need to become more aware of the symptoms, diagnosis, national screening programme, as well as steps they can take to help prevent the disease.

“Our own recent research found that a staggering 93 per cent of Westcountry adults rate their awareness of bowel cancer as ‘average’ at best, if not ‘poor’.

“This simply can’t suffice if the region is to stand a chance at getting a grip on this cancer.

“Bowel cancer is more widespread than many people may realise and it will only become more commonplace due to an ageing population and increasingly poor lifestyle choices.”

Source This is Cornwall