June 15th is Red Apple Day!
June itself is Bowel Cancer (also called Colon Cancer) Awareness Month - Bowel Cancer Australia's signature event to raise awareness of Australia's second deadliest cancer.
Unfortunately, Gippslanders have a higher rate of mortality from bowel cancer than their Victorian counterparts, at 23 cases per 10 000 people.
Red Apple Day was envisaged to raise funds for the prevention, early diagnosis, research, quality treatment and the best care for everyone affected by bowel cancer.
You can support this amazing charity (as we do here at Gippsland Specialist Group) through the purchase of an apple ribbon, or by holding an apple themed fundraiser!
Bowel cancer claims the lives of 101 Australians every week (5,255 people a year) - but it's one of the most treatable types of cancer if found early.
While the risk of bowel cancer increases significantly with age, the disease doesn't discriminate, affecting men and women, young and old, including people in their 20’s (read the story of fellow Gippslander Mallory Krusic here - who was diagnosed at only 29 years old).
We are here to help.
A/Prof Chris Mills is a world-class interventional and advanced endoscopist (a gastroenterologist with further specialist training in endoscopy) and is currently the only specialist in Gippsland with this level of training and skill.
To make an appointment please see your GP for a referral, and then contact the GSG rooms on (03) 5630 8800. We are here to help.
Finding colon cancer early provides the best chance of surviving the disease.
Things you MUST do:
01 : have a 2 yearly FOBT test after age 50
02 : don’t ignore abdominal pain
03 : tell your GP if you have rectal bleeding
04 : take note if you have new constipation or diarrhoea
05 : weigh yourself and talk to your GP if you have lost a lot of weight
06 : have a blood test to measure your red blood cells and iron regularly (talk tp your GP if needed)
07 : don’t delay a colonoscopy if it has been recommended
08 : call our friendly admin team if you have symptoms and aren’t sure what to do - or talk to your GP!