Vietnam trek in aid of bowel cancer

23 August 2002

This year’s summer holiday for Jane Land, a Senior Staff Nurse at the West Suffolk Hospital, will be spent trekking through Vietnam to raise money in aid of Bowel Cancer.

The trip has been organised by Colon Cancer Concern, the UK’s first national charity dedicated solely to colorectal cancer, in association with Worldwide Journeys and Expeditions.  In November, Jane, who is 40, will be joining a group of around 40 walkers to trek through the Central Highlands of Vietnam and in seven days will cover 124 km (77 miles).

“I always wanted to visit Vietnam and this way I also get the opportunity to raise awareness of the problem of bowel cancer and money for Colon Cancer Concern,” said Ms Land.

“I’m expecting it to be tough as we will be trekking in the jungle in hot, extremely humid conditions. Regular swimming, long walks and trips to the gym are helping to get me in shape and friends and colleagues have been extremely generous and supportive. Every member of the group has been asked to raise a minimum of £2,500 and I have already reached the £2,000 mark via a wide range of activities including car boot sales, cake stalls, raffles and a sponsored slim plus donations.

“Although bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, if caught early, it is also one of the most treatable of cancers. We are trying to encourage people not to be shy and to talk to their GP if they are experiencing bowel problems – most symptoms do not turn out to be bowel cancer.”

People should make an appointment to see their GP if any of the following symptoms persist for more than a few weeks:

Recent, persistent change of bowel habit to going more frequently or with looser stools, especially with rectal bleeding,

• Rectal bleeding with no straining, pain, soreness, lumpiness, swelling or itching,

• Rectal bleeding if you are over 55 piles may be masking more serious symptoms,

• Unexplained anaemia and/or severe gut pain.

Research shows that a varied diet, higher in fibre and fresh vegetables may help to protect against bowel cancer. Doctors also believe that moderate exercise may have a protective effect.

Notes:

30,000 people will be diagnosed with bowel cancer this year and 16,000 will die.

Colon Cancer Concern is the UK’s first national charity dedicated to colorectal cancer. The charity aims to

• Improve symptom awareness

• Encourage early presentation

• Increase knowledge of how colorectal cancer can be prevented

• Increase the cure rate of those diagnosed

• Improve the quality of life of those affected by the disease.