Bowel Cancer

There were 100,514 new cases of cancer diagnosed in Australia in 2005 (the latest figures available). The five most common cancers were prostate cancer (16,349 cases), colorectal cancer (13,076), breast cancer (12,265), melanoma of the skin (10,684) and lung cancer (9,182). These five cancers accounted for over 61% of all diagnoses.

In 2005 there were 39,097 deaths from cancer in Australia. Overall, the five most common cancer deaths were from lung cancer (7,427 deaths), colorectal cancer (4,165), cancer of unknown primary site (3,445), prostate cancer (2,949) and breast cancer (2,726). These five cancers accounted for 53% of all deaths from cancer.

(Source: Cancer in Australia, an overview. 2008 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare).

Information about Bowel Cancer

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention, Early Detection and Management of Colorectal Cancer

Cancer Institute New South Wales - colorectal cancer information and resources (note: you may need to register to access parts of this site, but it is free).

• Cancer Council NSW www.cancercouncil.com.au
• The Cancer Council Australia www.cancer.org.au
• Bowel Cancer & Digestive Research Institute Australia www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/bowel_cancer/
• Australian Government Dept of Health & Ageing Stoma appliance scheme www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/Stoma+Appliance+Scheme-1

Improving Outcomes in Colorectal Cancers (2004)

Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: An American Cancer Society Guide for Informed Choices

Australian Council of Stoma Associations