Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know that someone dies every 30 minutes from bowel cancer?  I am one of the lucky ones and I know that my journey is far from over; but I am also acutely aware that I am in the amazing position to be able to be positive about my future.  Not everyone is as lucky; but if caught early bowel cancer is one of the most treatable cancers.

So to help in the battle April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month; during this month cancer charities will be doing lots to raise awareness and money.   The Beating Bowel Cancer charity is asking you to pledge your support by joining their Bowel Movement; their aim is to get people talking about bowel cancer and the symptoms.

There are many ways that you can support Beating Bowel Cancer, such as

• Join our Bowel Movement
• Fundraise for us
• Come to our Patient Day
• Volunteer at our London Marathon cheer point
• Support us on eBay
• Blog for us

Click on any of the above links for more information.  Beating Bowel Cancer is a fantastic charity and has given me lots of support and advice; you can find their website here .

Bowel Cancer UK is also suggesting lots of ways that you can help to raise awareness, such as;

• Place an order for our free awareness materials and promote and display them in a public place such as your company, local shops, library or at your GP surgery.
• Arrange a bowel cancer awareness stand or talk in your community or with business or employer. Contact our Health Promotion team for details on 020 7381 9711 or healthpromotion@bowelcanceruk.org.uk
• Make sure your family and friends know about the symptoms of bowel cancer.
• Follow us on facebook and twitter and tweet, retweet and facebook our messages, information and factsheets.
• Help us raise awareness of bowel cancer among women by watching or sharing our 'Care to Share' video.
• If you have been closely affected by bowel cancer, share your story with us. Contact press@bowelcanceruk.org.uk
• Publicise our Information and Support Service - freephone 0800 8 40 35 40 so that we can continue to support nearly 40,000 people diagnosed with bowel cancer each year.

If you would like to know more about Bowel Cancer UK you can visit their website here .

Do you know the symptoms of bowel cancer?
I have blogged about the symptoms previously, but here is a quick reminder;

• a change in your bowel habit, such as looser poo, lasting longer than 3 weeks
• blood in your poo
• unexplained weight loss
• feeling more tired than usual
• abdominal pain or a lump in your stomach area
• anaemia

Not all of these symptoms means that you do have bowel cancer, and you might not necessarily get all of these symptoms, but if you are at all worried then I would suggest seeing a doctor, just in case.  You can find out more about the symptoms here .

So make as much noise as you can about bowel cancer and its symptoms, it could save a life.

Much Love Cx