Colorectal Cancer with David Newton

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is a global initiative that takes place annually in March, (in South Africa in April) and aims to increase public awareness about the symptoms, detection and prevention of Colorectal Cancer, encouraging people aged 50 years and over, to reduce their risk of Colorectal Cancer through regular screening examinations.

The Roche theme for this year's Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is “Ignoring a Gut Feeling,” and in answer to the challenge of heightening this awareness to the public, David was approached to help convey the messaging around this rather sensitive topic.

The hope is that the barriers and taboos related to discussing this topic would be overcome. David has taken on this challenge of increasing public awareness for Colorectal Cancer. He has decided that the best way to approach this topic, is to laugh about it!

Yet looking at the numbers colorectal cancer is definitely no laughing matter. Approximately one million new cases are diagnosed worldwide each year. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer across all cancer types in men and women worldwide, killing around 700,000 people worldwide, each year.

But, colorectal cancer can be managed and early detection is the key. Identifying personal risk factors, monitoring for symptomatic changes and undergoing screening are three ways that can help to detect and prevent colorectal cancer. Colorectal Cancer screening can detect both existing cancer and polyps (growths that may develop into cancer over time). Regular screening has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer by 16%.

Further information about Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the global activities that have taken place can be found at http://www.preventcancer.org/colorectal.htm and http://www.europacolon.com/ .

Further information on South Africa's Colorectal Awareness month can be found at www.gutfeeling.co.za.

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