Changes to diet and exercise could reduce incidence of colorectal cancer by up to 75 per cent, according to the latest statistics from the World Cancer Research Fund.
 
For most Queenslanders, this means boosting high-fibre food food intake, reducing alcohol, red and processed meat consumption, and making major changes to exercise habits.

Cancer Council Queensland is calling on all Queenslanders to assess their diet, activity level and weight and participate in screening where eligible this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. Across the state, around 2800 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year. About 980 people die from the disease.

The Australian Dietary Guidelines suggest a healthy adult should eat at least four to six serves of wholegrain foods daily, two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables (depending on age and gender). Plus, the consumption of processed meat and eating more than 100-120g of red meat daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer.

Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift said the average Queenslander would need to almost double their intake of fibrous foods, including fruit and vegetables, and wholegrain breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles and grains like quinoa and oats, to gain the health benefits.

Among other findings:

• Most Australian men would need to cut red meat consumption by 20 per cent.
• The average Aussie would need to eat 40 per cent more meat alternatives, including poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts or seeds.
• Australians should aim to eat 100g of red meat about three to four times a week and include alternatives on other days.
• Processed meat increases the risk of bowel cancer, as they're high in added salt and saturated fat, and not a substitute for lean meat, poultry, fish, legumes or tofu.

Participation in recommended screening is vital in the early detection of colorectal cancer. All Queenslanders aged over 50 years should be screened for bowel cancer every two years. Queenslanders aged 50, 55, 60 and 65 are eligible to take part in the National Bowel Cancer Screening program, while other Queenslanders can chat to their GP or pharmacist to access a test kit.
 
More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available at www.cancerqld.org.au or Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20.

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