From Dr Grant Selth
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers, along with lung, breast and prostate cancer. It is very common and affects 1 in 19 males, and 1 in 28 females. It is mostly seen in persons aged 40 years and over, and after 50 years the incidence increases sharply.In 2017 there were 217 participants in the Bowel Scan program in the Mornington Peninsula and Westernport areas serviced by the Mt Eliza Rotary Club and local pharmacies. Five per cent of those required further medical follow up by their doctor.
90% of bowel cancers can be cured if detected early.
Detection is the key, with indicator signs ------
1) changes in normal bowel habits
2) unexplained weight loss
3) feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowel
4) persistent cramping or abdominal pain
5) blood in bowel motions
This year the Rotary Club of Mt. Eliza is facilitating and extending the Bowel Scan programme throughout the Mornington Peninsula and Westernport area with the involvement of approximately 35 participating pharmacies.
Bowel Scan kits are selling at the pharmacies for $15 per kit, which are simple, effective kits testing for blood in bowel motions. These kits are sent for analysis and if blood is present, this may have come from haemorrhoids, polyps or cancer in the large bowel. You will be notified of a positive or negative result.
The free government supplied kits are more complicated to use, are supplied every 4 years ( tests should be bi-annually as recommended by the NMHRC) and have not been yet been supplied to everyone up to 70 -75 years. Remember you can develop bowel cancer before 50 years, particularly if you have a family history of it.
Kits are available at participating pharmacies in Frankston. Mt. Eliza, Mornington, Mt. Martha, Dromana, Rosebud, Rye, Sorrento, Red Hill, Hastings and Westernport area.
Contact:
90% of bowel cancers can be cured if detected early.
Detection is the key, with indicator signs ------
1) changes in normal bowel habits
2) unexplained weight loss
3) feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowel
4) persistent cramping or abdominal pain
5) blood in bowel motions
This year the Rotary Club of Mt. Eliza is facilitating and extending the Bowel Scan programme throughout the Mornington Peninsula and Westernport area with the involvement of approximately 35 participating pharmacies.
Bowel Scan kits are selling at the pharmacies for $15 per kit, which are simple, effective kits testing for blood in bowel motions. These kits are sent for analysis and if blood is present, this may have come from haemorrhoids, polyps or cancer in the large bowel. You will be notified of a positive or negative result.
The free government supplied kits are more complicated to use, are supplied every 4 years ( tests should be bi-annually as recommended by the NMHRC) and have not been yet been supplied to everyone up to 70 -75 years. Remember you can develop bowel cancer before 50 years, particularly if you have a family history of it.
Kits are available at participating pharmacies in Frankston. Mt. Eliza, Mornington, Mt. Martha, Dromana, Rosebud, Rye, Sorrento, Red Hill, Hastings and Westernport area.
Contact:
- Dr. Grant Selth (Maurie) 0438040543
- Malcom Hull 0447392729
- Susie Adam 0418143393
- Pauline McFarlane 0419386900
