Launch of the European Colorectal (bowel) Cancer awareness month – March 2018
Today marks the launch of the European Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month organised by the Ministry for Health (the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate and the National Screening Unit, Primary Health Care) in collaboration with the Malta Colorectal Cancer Awareness Group. The aim is to increase the knowledge and awareness amongst the general population about colorectal cancer, to highlight the risk factors and the importance of prevention through healthy eating and physical activity and early pickup. Evidence shows that regular bowel screening reduces the risk of dying from bowel cancer by 15%. The other main objectives of this campaign is to increase uptake of the National Colorectal Screening Programme following invitation.
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Malta; every year around 260 persons are diagnosed and around 110 die from the disease every year. In 2015, 294 persons were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 122 deaths were reported. While, the number of new cases is higher in men than in women, both genders are affected, with around 170 males and 124 females being newly diagnosed in 2015.
The following are the commonest risk factors for colorectal cancer:
· Age 50 years and over – the risk increases with age but cancer may also occur at a younger age.
· A strong family history of colorectal cancer.
· A history of polyps in the bowel.
· Inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s Disaese and Ulcerative colitis.
· Lifestyle – a diet rich in red and processed meat and low in fibre, drinking alcohol, lack of physical activity, being overweight or obese.
Half of the new cases of colorectal cancer are linked to lifestyle factors, while 1 in 5 cases are linked to eating processed or red meat. It is possible to reduce colorectal cancer risk by limiting the consumption of red meat to less than 2 servings per week and reducing processed meat as much as possible. Physical activity reduces bowel cancer risk in both men and women, including in older people. Dietary fibre is probably protective against bowel cancer. Intake can be increased by eating more vegetables, fruit, legumes, wholemeal cereal products, nuts and seeds. Maintaining and achieving a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer. Stopping smoking and reducing the amount of alcohol consumed can reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer.
Colorectal cancer can occur without any symptoms. However the most common symptoms are the following and these should prompt the individual to visit their family doctor as soon as possible:
· Bleeding from the back passage without any obvious reason.
· A change in bowel habit lasting 3 weeks or more.
· Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason.
· Abdominal pain or a lump in the abdomen.
· Unexplained weight loss.
The National Colorectal Screening programme is now in its 6th year with screening for colorectal cancer being offerred to to all men and women aged 57 to 68 years. Persons in this age group recieve a personal invitation letter at home encouraging them to take the Screening Test. This is a simple test where a small amount of stools is collected and sent to the laboratory where it is checked for minute traces of blood. Those who have a positive test result will be invited for colonoscopy, and later referred to a specialist if required.
Colorectal screening allows the removal of premalignant lesions through colonoscopy, thus preventing further progression to a cancerous stage. Screening also picks up cases of colorectal cancer in its early stages where treatment results in a better outcome. Those persons between 57 and 68 years of age can get screened for bowel cancer even if they have not yet received an invitation or if they had previously ignored their invitation.
For more information on the subject the public is cordially invited to contact
The Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate on 23266000 or health.pro@gov.mt or on the HDPDMalta facebook page.
Or to call The National Screening Programme, Primary HealthCare on 2122 7470 /1