Let’s Talk About Bowel Cancer, Screening and Colonoscopies (Yes, Really!)

Let’s Talk About Bowel Cancer, Screening and Colonoscopies (Yes, Really!)

Alright, let’s go there. Blood in your stool? Changes in bowel habits? It’s never fun to talk about, but these things shouldn’t be ignored. Your first step is always to check in with your GP — they can arrange the right investigations to make sure everything’s okay.

It’s also worth knowing that rates are rising in people under 50 and it is a major cause of cancer related deaths in this age group. Around 1700 people under the age of 50 are diagnosed each year, that accounts for around 11% of cancer diagnoses. Even if you’re younger, don’t assume you’re too young to be at risk. If you have any concerns or a family history of bowel cancer, you can request a bowel screening kit in the mail from age 45 — it’s easy, free, and could literally save your life. You can request a free kit online here.

Medical guidelines state the recommended strategy for population screening in Australia, directed at those at average risk of bowel cancer and without relevant symptoms, is faecal immunochemical testing every 2 years, now starting at age 45 years and continuing to age 74 years.

Around 30% of all bowel cancer cases diagnosed are due to a hereditary contribution, family history, or a combination of both. The other 70% of people have no family history of the disease and no hereditary contribution.

Common symptoms can include:

• Blood in your poo or rectal bleeding, bright red or very dark blood should never be ignored

• A recent, persistent change in bowel habit
  Such as looser, more diarrhoea-like poo, constipation, or going to the toilet more often, or trying to go – irregularity in someone whose bowel habits have previously been regular

• A change in shape or appearance of your poo, for example, narrower poos than usual or mucus in poo

• Frequent gas pain, cramps, a feeling of fullness or bloating in the bowel or rectum

• Unexplained anaemia, low red blood count causing tiredness, weakness or weight loss

• A feeling that the bowel has not emptied completely after going to the toilet

• Pain or a lump in the anus or rectum

• Abdominal pain or swelling

Now, on to the bit that everyone dreads but really shouldn’t: the colonoscopy. If anything is picked up by the screening kit or other tests, you may be referred for a colonoscopy to investigate further. A colonoscopy is a simple procedure where a gastroenterologist uses a tiny camera to look inside your bowel. You’ll be asleep or very relaxed, it’s not painful, and it helps detect (and sometimes remove) anything that shouldn’t be there — long before it becomes serious.

I’ve personally had more scopes than I can count, so here’s my honest take:
People hate the idea of it, but in reality? It’s absolutely fine.
It’s not painful, the team looking after you are usually wonderful, and you’ll likely wake up wondering what all the fuss was about. Considering the consequences of not investigating properly, it’s a very small price to pay for peace of mind.

Prep Like a Pro

The most important (and often most dreaded) part is the prep.
Typically, you’ll be prescribed a Prep Kit Orange — that’s two sachets of PicoPrep and one GlycoPrep, taken exactly as directed by your gastroenterologist.

A few insider tips:

• Five days before your procedure, steer clear of wholemeal bread, muesli, and seeds — including the sneaky ones hiding in fruit like strawberries and kiwifruit.

• During the fasting period, you can still enjoy clear fluids like water, black tea or coffee (no milk!), clear broth, apple juice, lemonade, or electrolyte drinks.

• Personally, I recommend a good clear fruit juice like apple juice to keep your energy up and your mood sweet. Having sugar free drinks can leave you feeling a bit weak with fasting.

• Speak to your doctor about any medication you are taking for specific directions on how to navigate fasting and a scope.

Surviving the “Emptying Phase”

This is where things get… active. You’ll become very well acquainted with your bathroom for a few hours, and that’s totally normal.

A little insider secret: we sell “Cheeky Squirt Bum Gel” at the clinic, and trust me, it’s a game changer. All that wiping can leave you feeling raw, so using a soothing barrier gel will make things much more comfortable. (Your future self will thank you.)

Stay close to home, keep a good book or your favourite show ready, and once it’s all over, you’ll be amazed at how anticlimactic the actual procedure feels after all that preparation.

After the Scope — Rebuilding Your Gut

Once the procedure’s done and dusted, it’s time to show your gut some love.
The prep does such a thorough job that it clears out everything — including much of your good bacteria — so it’s important to help your microbiome bounce back.

Try to get nourishing, gut-friendly foods back in:

• Kefir (found next to yoghurt in the supermarket) is one of my favourites — it’s full of billions of probiotics. Have it in the fridge door and take a good swig every time you open the fridge over the next few days.

• If you’re dairy-intolerant, look for a good-quality probiotic supplement, or reach for kombucha, miso, kimchi, sauerkraut, and lots of colourful veggies — these are the prebiotics that feed the good bacteria.

• Maybe ease off the sugar for a little while as your gut finds its balance again — think of it as letting the good guys get settled in without competition.

From the Team at Surf Coast Physio & Pilates

At Surf Coast Physio & Pilates, we know gut health is closely linked with pelvic health, energy levels, and overall wellbeing. Whether you’re preparing for a procedure, recovering afterwards, or simply wanting to feel your best from the inside out, our team can help you get back to doing what you love — confidently and comfortably.

If you’ve got questions or want to learn more about pelvic or gut health, we’re always happy to chat.

Your health is worth looking after — and sometimes that starts with one slightly awkward (but very important) conversation. 💩✨