Colonoscopy is the most effective way of screening for bowel cancer in the early stages when the disease is most treatable. The problem is that the procedure is invasive and uncomfortable and some people can be unwilling to have it. As gastrointestinal specialists, we recognise that, no matter how effective it is, a colonoscopy cannot help…
All over the UK, normally clean-shaven men are growing a beard – and bearded men are dyeing, decorating or ditching their beards – in support of Decembeard, the Bowel Cancer UK campaign to raise awareness of bowel cancer.
Throughout November, the global spotlight falls on men’s health thanks to the Movember movement. The Movember Foundation was founded in Australia to stop men dying young from preventable disease and is now a worldwide phenomenon. It focuses on some of the biggest health issues facing men including cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. Men raise…
You’d have to have been living on the moon to be unaware that smoking is bad for your health. But did you know that it’s not just your lungs and heart that are affected? Smoking also disrupts gut function and damages your overall digestive health. Here are just some of the reasons why quitting smoking…
Some people call it a “nervous stomach”, some call it irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)… But, whatever you call it, the symptoms can be debilitating and long-lasting. Stress, anxiety and tension can all take their toll on your digestive system, resulting in a range of unpleasant physical symptoms. These symptoms may serve to increase your feelings of…
New research has been hailed as good news for people who undergo surgery for bowel cancer. Read about how research shows three months of chemotherapy could be as effective as six, in certain cases.
A blue dye tablet given to patients before they have a colonoscopy could boost the chances of finding bowel cancer in its earliest stages, according to new research. A study led by Dr Alessandro Repici, professor of gastroenterology and director of endoscopy at Humanitas University Medical School in Milan found that oral delayed-release methylene blue tablets given…
All around the world charities are recognised on 5 September for the amazing work they do in saving and improving lives and providing a platform for the important issues of our times. We would like to add our voice to this international chorus of thanks and appreciation for the charity sector and, in particular, to…
Can you name the five most common symptoms of bowel cancer? According to a recent study by the charity Bowel Cancer UK, if your answer is yes, then you fall in the minority! What is Bowel cancer? Also known as colorectal, rectal or colon cancer. These names depend on where the cancer is located. It…
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can have a profound effect on your life. If you are one of the 12 million or so people in the UK who suffer from the condition you may experience anything from mild to severe symptoms, including abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, constipation or a mix of the two. Effective Self-Care for IBS…