Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can affect any part of the colon or rectum; it may also be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer is located.
Bowel cancer screening is for people who do not already have bowel cancer, symptoms of bowel cancer, or any reason to have a high risk of bowel cancer.
Patient-centred care is healthcare that is respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs and values of patients and consumers.
Bowel Cancer Australia provides essential support services uniquely designed for bowel cancer patients via our confidential Helpline with specialist telehealth support, as well as a national Peer-to-Peer Support Network and Buddy Program.
Bowel Cancer Australia funds research that has the potential to improve survival and/or help build a path toward a cure and integrates published research into our awareness, advocacy, and support strategies.
Bowel Cancer Australia relies upon donations and the support of hard working and enthusiastic fundraisers across the country to continue our life saving work. We raise funds to continue our life-saving work and inspire others to do the same, so everyone affected by bowel cancer can live their best life.
After you have been on a low fibre diet for a while you may find that you need to increase your fibre intake.
As your symptoms improve after surgery and your bowel motions normalise you may be able to start reintroducing some of your favourite foods.
Do this slowly and add one new food at half a cup at a time so you can identify any foods that cause bowel upset.
If you experience constipation or any sign of blockage – not opening your bowels for two to three days, please contact your specialist or healthcare professional.
If you experience extremely loose watery bowel motions and leakage, pain or fever please contact your specialist or healthcare professional.
If you have reintroduced medium fibre foods too quickly you may need to go back onto a low fibre diet.
Medium fibre diets may be suitable for diabetics, please discuss this with your healthcare professional.
Write a food diary. Some foods may make your symptoms worse. Everybody is different, therefore only you can tell what aggravates your symptoms.
Writing a food diary helps you to identify what foods make your bowel work better or worse.
Eat normally and try to keep your weight stable. This is particularly important if you are undergoing treatment.
If you are losing weight drink some protein drinks in between meals with a milk of your choice, you can add a little psyllium husk or slippery elm powder to make your drink thicker.
Lactose intolerance may persist beyond surgery in some people, a food diary will help you determine this or speak to your health care professional.
Lactose is found in dairy products such as milk, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream and some processed and packaged foods.
Make sure you have plenty of water. Aim for 6-8 cups of water a day, if you like some flavour in water enjoy some sliced fruit in water to infuse some healthy sugars.
Introducing a wider range and variety of foods may mean you do not need a multivitamin supplement. Check with your health care professional.
A Bowel Cancer Australia resource providing dietary advice specifically for bowel cancer patients following treatment or surgery, to help them on their road to recovery.
Foods will not need to be peeled; however, seeds and pips may still be an issue for your bowel.
If you are writing a food diary you should be able to recognise if they are not suitable.
Fruit and vegetables may be able to be consumed raw, cooked or lightly steamed.
Gently add small amounts – one to two teaspoons of crushed whole nuts, coconuts, seeds, you may be able to eat less tender pieces of meat, chicken, and introduce whole mushrooms, wholemeal foods, and fruit with peel, and celery.
You may also be able to add vegetables with stalks.
Please note, if you experience bowel upset revert to the low fibre diet again for a few days to settle your bowel
Talk to a health care professional if you are experiencing any soreness internally or externally.
You can slowly add more Psyllium husk or Metamucil daily to drinks and foods to ensure a well formed and completely evacuated bowel motion. This is a fibre and would need to be introduced slowly to avoid constipation, remembering to increase water intake at the same time.
Once your bowel has settled after a few weeks to months you may at some stage slowly move to a high fibre diet one food at a time.
This is a sample menu guide please ensure you read our modifiable risks webpage to ensure you are eating within the World Cancer Research Fund guidelines to modify bowel cancer risk.
You can eat most fruit and vegetables and other lower fibre foods, however, aim to add at least two to three cups of medium fibre foods suggested per day.
Please note, while the amount of vegetables and fruit are limited in a low fibre diet, they are not limited in a medium fibre diet – tougher vegetables and skin left on is suitable.
The below is intended as a guide and are suggestions. They are not tailored to individual needs or intolerances and are based on product nutritional guides by the manufacturers or Australian Food Composition Database (January 2019). Weights and measures of food and reactions may vary in individuals. For tailored advice please contact your health care provider.
Generally, do not contain fibre ensure they are consumed with vegetables or salad
Note : Beef, kangaroo, lamb and deli cuts (minimise and consume less than 500 grams per week to reduce bowel cancer risk)
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