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Bowel Cancer in Women - 2 Months to Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

Bowel Cancer Australia

The Facts

• 6,974 women are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, including 974 under age 50.

• 46.8% of people diagnosed with bowel cancer are female.
• 2,540 women die from bowel cancer each year.
• In 2024, bowel cancer was estimated to be the deadliest cancer in Australian women under 50
• 51.7% of early-onset (age under 50) bowel cancer cases are diagnosed in women.
• You are never too young for bowel cancer. Australian research found younger people may spend between 3 months and 5 years seeing multiple doctors before diagnosis.
• The risk of diagnosis before the age of 40 has more than doubled since the year 2000.
• Early-onset bowel cancer strikes in the most active years of life, causing interruptions in education, work, and family building, as well as significant psychosocial challenges and long-term financial hardship.
• Possible bowel cancer signs in women can often be dismissed as being associated with:

• Pregnancy/recent childbirth
• Endometriosis/Menstruation
• Peri-menopause/Menopause

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of bowel cancer can include:

Blood in your poo;

Obvious change in your bowel habit

Weight loss you can’t explain

Extreme tiredness for no reason

Lump or swelling in your abdomen

 

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month – Bowel Cancer Australia’s signature event to raise awareness of Australia’s second deadliest cancer and funds for the leading community-funded charity dedicated to Championing what matters most to people impacted by bowel cancer and empowering everyone affected to live their best life.

About us:

About Bowel Cancer Australia

Bowel Cancer Australia is a national charity dedicated to championing what matters most to people impacted by bowel cancer and empowering everyone affected to live their best life.

Contact details: