CUH Hosts Free Bowel Cancer Information Event – Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
Health Service Executive
News Release
HSE South/023/12
20th April 2012
CUH Hosts Free Bowel Cancer Information Event – Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
Did you know that bowel cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women in Ireland?
Most people do notrealise just how prevalent bowel cancer is (also known as colorectal cancer or colon cancer). In order to raise the awareness of the disease amongst the general public, clinicians in Cork University Hospital (CUH), are holding a free information session from 2.00pm to 4.00pm on Saturday 28th April 2012 in the lecture theatre at CUH. This event is part of Bowel Cancer Awareness month (April 2012) and is supported by the Irish Cancer Society.
More than 2,200 people in Ireland are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year with the incidences of disease increasing as people get older; the highest being amongst the 55 - 74 age group. Over the last 15 years the number of cases of colorectal cancer has risen by approximately 20% in both sexes. By 2020 the number of new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed each year in Ireland is projected to increase by 79% in men and 56% in women. This projected growth is primarily attributable to an increasing and ageing population. However, younger people are diagnosed also and should be aware of signs and symptoms and services available.
Mr Morgan McCourt, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at CUH with a particular interest in bowel/colorectal cancer said, “Bowel cancer is very common but, unfortunately, most people are not aware of this type of cancer or, they are too embarrassed to talk about it. We are holding this information session to raise the awareness of the condition because, like all cancers, early diagnosis is vital. This is a very treatable form of cancer but it must be detected early.”
A number of clinicians from CUH with expertise in bowel cancer will speak at the free information event and discuss a range of topics including; signs and symptoms, who is affected, where to go for help, what happens after diagnosis and current and future treatments. Speakers include;
- Mr. Morgan McCourt, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon - What is bowel cancer?
- Mr Emmet Andrews; Consultant Surgeon - Laparoscopic surgery,
- Dr. Paul Kelly, Radiation Oncologist - Radiotherapy treatments;
- Dr. Seamus O’ Reilly, Medical Oncologist - Chemotherapy treatments;
- Dr Derek Power, Medical Oncologist Hereditary colo-rectal cancer / family risk
- Ms. Anne Murphy, Advanced Nurse Practitioner - Colorectal cancer screening;
- Ms. Mary Hannon, Coloproctology Clinical Nurse Specialist - Rapid access to clinic
- Ms Marie McSweeney, Stoma Care Nurse Specialist - Stoma services
- Ms. Ann Bowler, Psycho-oncology Liaison Nurse - Psycho-oncology/supports
Anne Murphy, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, CUH encouraged people to come along on Saturday 28th April to the information session, particularly if they have any concerns about their own health or that of a family member or friend and said, “Many people initially feel quite anxious or embarrassed about coming to the clinic for a check-up. Typical comments that we hear from patients in the clinic include; ‘I was too embarrassed to see someone’, ‘I thought it was just piles’, ‘it’s not something that’s easy to talk about’, ‘I should have come earlier’. However, they are quickly put at their ease by the team who are extremely professional and who have vast experience ofthis form of cancer.”
There are a number of symptoms that people should be aware of and should get checked out by their GP if they have any concerns at all. Symptoms might include changes in bowel habits i.e. from constipation to diarrhoea, pain or bleeding from the back passage or what might be thought to be piles or haemorrhoids. People should also be aware if there is a history of bowel cancer or other cancers in their families as they may be more susceptible.
CUH has a specialist clinic to cater for people presenting with symptoms of bowel/colorectal cancer where they receive rapid and easy access to treatment following referral by their GP. The Colorectal Assessment Clinic has seen a 300% increase in those attending the clinic since it was established in 2000 and has seen in excess of 5,000 patients. There are plans to increase the capacity as cancer care is centralized to make patients journey through the hospital easier.