Latest news with #bowelCancer
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists reveal the exact diet to follow to stave off IBD and bowel cancer-and it could mean making some big changes to your weekly shop
Scientists have confirmed that the best defence against bowel cancer is served up on a plate—literally. A new study looked at the dietary habits of 143,434 Britons, and found that people who followed a 'healthy' plant-based diet were less likely to develop inflammatory bowel diseases which can lead to cancer. During an average follow-up of 14.5 years, the researchers found that 1,117 participants developed inflammatory bowel disease, 795 cases of ulcerative colitis and 322 cases of Crohn's disease. Between 2006 and 2010, the study recruited participants aged 40 to 69 who live in multiple locations across England, Scotland and Wales, and asked them to fill in diaries of what they had eaten and drank in the last 24 hours. The types of food and drink were categorised as 'healthy plant foods, unhealthy plant foods or animal foods'. From this data, researchers were able to establish that a healthy plant-based diet was associated with an 8% lower risk of ulcerative colitis, and a 14% lower risk of Crohn's disease. However, it isn't as simple as just cutting out meat. An unhealthy plant-based diet (which includes dairy and eggs) was associated with a 15% higher risk of Crohn's disease, with results suggesting that this was in part due to higher intake of vegetable oils and animal fats. The research, published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, concluded that diets rich in fruits and vegetables are protective factors against inflammatory bowel disease, likely due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Lead author of the study, Dr Zhe Shen, MD an associate professor at Zhejiang University, in China, said: 'Our research indicates that a healthy plant-based diet may protect against inflammatory bowel disease.' Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are both types of inflammatory bowel disease which affect over half a million Britons and more than two million Americans. Nearly a third of people diagnosed with IBD will go on to develop deadly bowel cancer within 10 years. This is because the irritation of the lining of the bowel can cause abnormal, pre-cancerous cells to form there, according to Cancer Research UK. Inflammation of the gut is what causes the often-debilitating symptoms of both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract which can cause diarrhoea, blood in your poo, stomach pains, and fatigue. According to the NHS, in children, not growing as expected or delayed puberty are also potential signs of the disease. These symptoms can be mild or severe and usually come and go over time in flare-ups or remissions. Meanwhile, ulcerative colitis, which has similar symptoms, causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum—the lower part of the large intestine. Another study suggested going vegan lowers the risk of colorectal cancer in men by more than a fifth. It comes amid an alarming explosion of cancers in young people, which has baffled experts. Over the last 30 years, young diagnoses of colon cancer have shot up by 80 per cent across the globe, research suggests. Meanwhile, rates of the disease in older groups, who are statistically more likely to get the disease overall, have either declined or remained stable to the same period. Concerningly, last year experts predicted that deaths from bowel cancer are set to soar by a tenth by 2040. There have been several different explanations proposed by experts for the explosion in cases in young people. Earlier this year a bombshell study found a common food bug E. coli picked up in childhood may be fuelling the epidemic. Other researchers have suggested it could be due to 'accelerated aging' which increases their risk of developing polyps, small growths that can lead to cancer. This aging is thought to be caused by a mixture of lifestyle choices, such as diet and level of exercise. However, it has also been suggested that factors typically outside of an individual's control could be to blame, like chemicals in food, clothing and air. Some studies have pointed to seed oils like sunflower, canola, corn and grapeseed, as the explanation. Meanwhile, a growing number of studies have laid the blame at the foot of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Other theories suggest microplastics—particles of plastic that are transferred on to food from packaging materials—and additives in store-bought foods.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Musician's ‘unusual tiredness' turned out to be bowel cancer
A musician, who found himself getting so tired he was regularly falling asleep during the day, was shocked to discover he had bowel cancer. Richard Sanderson Xerri, 45, a dad-of-two, said he didn't go to his doctor as he didn't think his tiredness was serious enough to bother a GP. But after playing at a wedding and being extremely exhausted the next day, his wife Eirian took him to a walk-in clinic which led to a diagnosis that saved his life. Now the couple are sharing their experience to help others understand and seek medical advice sooner. Richard, from Worsley, began feeling unusually lethargic in August 2024, but assumed it was down to work-related fatigue. A music teacher and performer, he said the tiredness became overwhelming. He said: 'When I got in from work, I'd pull up on the drive and be exhausted. I had no idea how I'd even driven home. 'Then one weekend I played a wedding and the next day I couldn't get off the sofa. My wife took me to Trafford Urgent Care Centre. I thought it might be something like low iron, but I never suspected cancer!' Richard was referred to Wythenshawe Hospital for further investigation where he was given a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. These are procedures that allow doctors to look inside parts of your digestive system using a flexible tube with a camera. He said: 'I was terrified. I didn't want the camera tests. I thought there was no point. But my wife insisted and thank goodness she did.' A tumour was found tucked in his bowel during the colonoscopy and Richard says 'that colonoscopy saved my life'. (Image: The Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance) A biopsy showed the tumour was cancerous, but Richard and Eirian remained optimistic after hearing it had been detected early. Just 10 days later, Richard had an operation to remove a third of his intestine via keyhole surgery. He said: 'We were told it was early stage. I was terrified hearing the C word, but I believed we could beat it. 'I was amazed that they could do it by keyhole surgery and luckily I didn't need a stoma bag due to where the tumour was. I was back home a few days later starting recovery.' With support from Macmillan nurses, Richard and his wife explained the diagnosis to Richard's two children, then aged nine and 12. He said: 'We were honest but focused on the positives. The nurse's advice really helped.' After his surgery Richard needed chemotherapy as tests showed his tumour had been quite aggressive. He found chemo quite hard especially how cold it felt for his hands. He said: 'I was worried about nerve damage in my hands. But the nurses helped with hot water bottles and put me at ease.' Now recovering, Richard resumed playing the violin and has just begun a slow phase return to his teaching job with One Education Music in Manchester. He said: 'The NHS has been phenomenal. My message is simple: don't ignore the signs or think the only sign for bowel cancer is blood in your poo. It's better to check and be wrong than miss something serious. We are so lucky to have the NHS.' Roger Prudham, Clinical Lead for Bowel Cancer at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, said: 'It's always important to see your GP if you have non-specific symptoms like extreme fatigue to get it checked out. The chances are it won't be cancer, but it is always best to rule it out.' (Image: The Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance) Common symptoms for bowel cancer include blood in your poo but other symptoms may include: changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you needing to poo more or less often than usual for you blood in your poo bleeding from your bottom often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet tummy pain a lump in your tummy bloating losing weight without trying feeling very tired or short of breath – these are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer Find out more at: Symptoms of bowel cancer - NHS
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Mother, 43, who was given 40% chance of survival after bowel cancer diagnosis shares common night time symptom which is often ignored
A mother who blamed her night sweats on perimenopause has revealed it was an early sign of deadly bowel cancer. Charlie O'Brien, 43, from Bromley in South East London, had previously been fit-and-healthy until she suddenly became very unwell at the start of the year. Doctors found a large tumour on her colon and she was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in January 2025. Heartbreakingly, the counsellor and hypnotherapist was told by doctors she has a 'four in ten' chance of survival. Despite not experiencing most of the classic symptoms, her tumour was already three to four years old, because bowel cancer can be very slow growing. Since her diagnosis, she has been able to 'piece it all together' and has shared what she believes to be the early signs of the devastating disease. Initially she put the on-and-off night sweats she'd had for around two years down to entering perimenopause, but once her tumour was removed 'they've stopped'. Other symptoms she has since linked to the tumour include an aching and pulling sensation on her left side, bloating, tummy cramps, and constipation. Now she has urged others experiencing any of the early signs to 'insist on screenings with your GP if needs be'. In a video posted on TikTok which has been viewed more than 114,000 times, she also shared the usual bowel cancer symptoms she didn't experience. These included blood from the bottom, weight loss, fatigue, vitamin deficiency, and loss of appetite. 'If I can help someone to not go through the dreadful experience I have—these posts are more than worth it,' she wrote in the caption. And it seems her decision to go public with her diagnosis and health battle has already started to have a positive ripple effect. After bravely sharing her experience, many people have told her that they have either had a colonoscopy or booked an appointment for one. Since under going an emergency operation to remove the tumour, Ms O'Brien has undergone eight rounds of chemotherapy, with more to go. The comment section was flooded with messages of support from social media users. One user commented: 'Thank you so much for sharing this. (I) really hope you are okay.' Another said: 'This is so important to spread awareness. I've just been diagnosed and never had any of the classic (symptoms).' It comes amid an alarming explosion of cancers in young people, which has baffled experts. Over the last 30 years, young diagnoses of colon cancer have shot up by 80 per cent across the globe, research suggests. Meanwhile, rates of the disease in older groups, who are statistically more likely to get the disease overall, have either declined or remained stable to the same period. Concerningly, last year experts predicted that deaths from bowel cancer are set to soar by a tenth by 2040. There have been several different explanations proposed by experts for the explosion in cases in young people. Earlier this year a bombshell study found a common food bug E. coli picked up in childhood may be fuelling the epidemic. Other researchers have suggested it could be due to 'accelerated aging' which increases their risk of developing polyps, small growths that can lead to cancer. This aging is thought to be caused by a mixture of lifestyle choices, such as diet and level of exercise. However, it has also been suggested that factors typically outside of an individual's control could be to blame, like chemicals in food, clothing and air. Some studies have pointed to seed oils like sunflower, canola, corn and grapeseed, as the explanation. Meanwhile, a growing number of studies have laid the blame at the foot of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Other theories suggest microplastics—particles of plastic that are transferred on to food from packaging materials—and additives in store-bought foods.
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The 5 common factors ‘behind surge in early-onset bowel cancer' revealed
FIVE key causes of bowel cancer in young people have been flagged by scientists. A paper published by Oxford University Press looked at the surge of young gastrointestinal cancers, which includes the stomach, liver pancreas, intestine, colon and anus. 3 The authors, led by the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, gave a review of what could be behind the trend, noting that it is not yet clear. In Europe, the worst increase is among people in their 20s, with a 7.9 per cent increase over 12 years, according to a study of 20 nations. An 185 per cent jump has been reported in Americans aged 20 to 24 years by the Centers for Disease Control. Early-onset bowel cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related death for men under 50 and the second-leading cause for women under 50 in the US. But younger people are facing delays in diagnosis as cancer is often not suspected until later. In the UK, bowel cancer cases are still the highest in people aged 85 to 89, and three cases a year are diagnosed in under-30s, according to Cancer Research UK. But its stats show that one in every 20 bowel cancer cases occurs under the age of 50. A major review published in The Lancet Oncology found that England experienced a 3.6 per cent per year rise in the rate of early-onset bowel cancer in the decade to 2017. It was the fourth fastest rise recorded, compared to four per cent per year in New Zealand and Chile, and 3.8 per cent in Puerto Rico. The researchers said associated risk factors include obesity, a Western-style diet, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, smoking, and alcohol. Alcohol consumption shows up to a 71 per cent higher risk, one review of research showed. Smoking also was, but at a lesser rate (35 per cent). Due to various studies being used, the researchers did not clarify how much alcohol becomes risky, but the NHS suggest a 'safe' limit of 14 units per week. Some studies compared people who drink alcohol to people who never do. Meanwhile, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, when there is a build-up of fat in the liver, already has a number of well-known risks. One in five young adults show signs of it, according to research carried out by the University of Bristol last year. Obesity - as well as obesity in adolescence and maternal obesity - has been shown to increase early-onset bowel cancer risk. It was defined by the authors as a BMI over 30. In a 2019 study of 85,000 women in the US, those with a BMI over 30 had close to double the risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer compared to women with lower BMIs. Some features of a Western diet - including sugary drinks and sedentary behaviour - have been linked with an increased risk of early-onset bowel cancer, the authors noted. One study spanning 10 years, of 95,000 women, revealed that women who drank more than two sugary drinks each day had a 2.2-fold higher risk of early bowel cancer. A study last year of 86,000 British people found going for two walks a day reduced the risk of bowel cancer by 11 per cent compared to being inactive. Other than lifestyle factors that can be changed, the authors said "most cases occur sporadically". 'The incidence of GI cancers in adults younger than age 50 is rising globally,' said the paper's lead author, Prof Sara Char, of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston. 'Ongoing research efforts investigating the biology of early-onset GI cancers are critical to developing more effective screening, prevention, and treatment strategies.' Sun writer Dame Deborah James raised awareness of disease in young people via The Sun's No Time 2 Lose campaign before her death from bowel cancer aged 40 in 2022. The NHS sends at-home sampling kits to everyone aged 54 to 74 every two years. These look for blood in your poo, which could be a sign of bowel cancer.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Orpington mum dies after 'perimenopause' symptoms was actually bowel cancer
A mum said knowing she was going to die from bowel cancer allowed her to "live more fully" - and her last few weeks contained "some of the happiest days" of her life. Laura Dawson, 44, suffered with bloating and fatigue for several months before being told she had stage three cancer in March last year. Initially, she thought her symptoms were linked to perimenopause - but one night had to be rushed to A&E because her stomach pain suddenly became so bad she "could not move". The mum-of-two underwent emergency surgery to remove an obstruction on her bowel, and while the operation itself was successful, a biopsy revealed her cancer diagnosis. Laura was supported by St Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham, south east London. (Image: SWNS) Laura underwent six months of chemotherapy, and initially the scans were "promising", according to her husband Ben, 49. He said: "We got one clear scan in August and it all seemed promising. But then in September we got the news that it was back and it had spread. "That was absolutely gut wrenching." Initially, Laura trialled some other forms of chemotherapy - but two months ago she decided to discontinue treatment. The treatment was only making her more ill - and she instead wanted to spend what time she had left with her family and friends. Laura was supported by St Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham, who allowed her to live at home for as long as she could - meaning she could enjoy her family's company in a "comfortable and dignified way". Laura died at St Christopher's Hospice on Sunday, June 29 (Image: SWNS) After two weeks, she was transferred to in-hospice care. She died at St Christopher's Hospice on Sunday, June 29. Ben said her death was "peaceful" - and he was with her at the end. He continued: "The care Laura received at home from the carers from St Christopher's allowed her to have her final two weeks at home in a comfortable and dignified way. "Then, during the nearly three weeks she stayed at the hospice, she was so well looked after - and everyone there was so compassionate and so caring - that it made Laura's last few days so good for her. "We're eternally grateful that such a positive experience could come from such a negative situation." Laura said some of her final days had been some of her happiest. (Image: SWNS) Speaking previously about her experience of knowing she was dying, Laura said some of her final days had been some of her "happiest". She said: "Some of the happiest days of my life have been in the last few weeks. "As a society, we shy away from the process of dying. "By doing that, we reinforce negative ideas around death. People think death is always going to be painful and traumatic, but it doesn't have to be. "Deep down we all know we are going to die. Cancer has forced me to acknowledge it. "Since then I've lived more fully than I've ever done, and that has been a gift." Ben explained that he and Laura viewed the time they had together as a blessing - even if they both wished they had longer. Laura and Ben have two sons, Jacob, 17, and Theo, 15. (Image: SWNS) He said: "Laura could have died on that operating table back in March. Life can be cut short unexpectedly and suddenly. "But knowing Laura was going to die meant everyone had the opportunity to say what they wanted to say to her. "When it comes to the funeral, I won't have to stand up there and say all those things I wished I had said to her. "Because I told her, and so did the kids. "Obviously, I'd prefer to keep her - and have her for the rest of my life. Ben said that they will miss Laura "endlessly" (Image: SWNS) "But she died knowing she is loved and that we will miss her endlessly. "That is a blessing." Ben said that throughout the process, he and Laura were always honest with their sons Jacob, 17, and Theo, 15. Ben said: "We've spoken very openly about it all the way through. "We've always told them what the possible outcomes are - because we want to prepare them for what might happen and we want them to be able to trust what we're saying. "That's definitely helped us throughout." He also said the care she received - from the NHS and St Christopher's - had made the experience a lot easier. "From the moment she was admitted into Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, all the care Laura received was incredible," Ben said. "We really are so thankful." Ben said that Laura wanted to share her story to help others. (Image: SWNS) Ben said that Laura wanted to share her story to help other people deal with dying and death. He said: "The way she's approached this has been incredible. I don't think there's been a day in this process where Laura truly let this get to her. "This is unfair. She's had her life cut short by 40 or 50 years. But she's seeing the beauty in the small things - taking joy in what she can do. "They say people are glass half empty or glass half full. Laura was always happy enough just to have a glass. "She wants to share that with people." Laura also used what time she had left to create memories for her loved ones. She wrote letters, organised mementoes, and bought both of her sons sentimental watches. "She bought me one when we got engaged and now the boys have one too," Ben said. "That way, on special occasions, like their weddings, they can look at it and know she's with them and thought about that day." Recommended Reading London woman grateful she's sober after incurable brain tumour London man discovered 5 tumours after craving olives Girl becomes fastest 8 year-old to run a 5k in the world Speaking about Laura, Ben continued: "We met 24 years ago. They talk about love at first sight - and it was that. "She's been my constant companion ever since. "Laura is generous to a fault - and the kind of person who is friends with someone after a minute of chatting to them. "She's just a really, really nice person."
