WATERFORD is one of ten areas nationwide which has a high rate of bowel cancer according to the Irish Cancer Society.

April has been designated Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and people in “hotspots” including Waterford are being asked to reduce their risk of the disease by making some small lifestyle changes.

According to data from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland, Cork has the highest rate of bowel cancer in Ireland with an incidence rate of 57.9 per 100,000 per year. Waterford, however, comes in ninth spot in the top-ten league but there is no room for complacency.

Research has found that adults who increase their physical activity and have a healthy diet can reduce their risk of developing bowel cancer by 30 to 40 per cent. Currently, over one third of the over 50s in Ireland are obese, a further 44 per cent are overweight and about one third of the over 50s

Aside from increasing their levels of physical activity, members of the public are reminded to be aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. If detected in the early stage it is treatable and patients can have positive outcomes. People between the ages of 60 and 69 can also take part in the national bowel screening programme called BowelScreen  which is a government funded service delivered by the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS). Men and women who are called for screening and who are willing to take part in the screening programme are sent a home test kit called FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) in the post. The test detects tiny traces of blood in the stool which can indicate that further tests are needed.

Anyone who is concerned about cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society’s National Cancer helpline on 1800 200 700 to speak to a specialist cancer nurse who can offer information and support.