ESSA issues calls to stop Australia’s second biggest cancer killer

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month — June 2015

June 23, 2015

It’s Australia’s second biggest cancer killer and it’s claiming the lives of almost 4,000 Australians every year*.

With Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in full swing, the nation’s peak professional body for exercise and sports science, Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), is calling on all Australians to assess their physical activity levels and take action to reduce their risk of developing bowel cancer.

ESSA Executive Officer Anita Hobson-Powell said bowel cancer was — in many instances — a preventable disease that could be avoided with some basic lifestyle changes.

“The sad reality is that Australia currently has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world, with one in 12 people likely to develop the disease in their lifetime,” Ms Hobson-Powell said.

“Higher levels of physical activity have been shown to protect against colon cancer (a form of bowel cancer), and it is estimated that changes in physical activity levels and diet and could reduce the incidence of bowel cancer by up to 75 per cent.”

Ms Hobson-Powell said it was crucial that Australians took measures to prevent the disease before it was too late.

“Many young people think that bowel cancer only occurs in those aged over 50 and that they don’t need to worry about this disease until they are older,” Ms Hobson-Powell said.

“While the risk of developing bowel cancer undoubtedly increases with age and is more prominent in the 50-plus demographic, the fact is that younger people can still develop the disease.”

“It really does pay to implement prevention measures from childhood, as regular participation in physical activity and healthy eating habits are more likely to be carried through all stages of life.”

Ms Hobson-Powell said according to the Physical Activity & Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines released by the Department of Health**, children aged between 5 and 12 years should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity every day, and adults should accumulate 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity each week.

“Even if you are time-poor, physical activity can be incorporated into your daily routine. It could be something as simple as taking the stairs rather than the elevator, walking outside on your break rather than eating lunch at your work desk, and moving around when you’re on a phone call.”

“For children, reducing their screen time can go a long way in getting them active. Whether it’s setting up a game of backyard cricket, climbing a tree or going swimming, most will jump at the chance to get active and have some fun.”

Ms Hobson-Powell said the incidence of bowel cancer was on the rise in Australia, with more than 20,000 cases of bowel cancer predicted in Australia in 2020, compared to the current 15,151 annual cases.

“This is a truly alarming statistic and the only way we’ll avoid this becoming a reality is if society takes steps now to reduce the risks of developing this devastating disease,” Ms Hobson-Powell said.

To get in touch with an accredited exercise physiologist who can create a customised exercise program for you and your family or to find out more tips for incorporating physical activity into your day, please visit www.essa.org.au.

// Ends.

Media contact

Maya Gurry, Fresh PR & Marketing
P: 0410 109 102
E: maya@freshprm.com.au

Sources

*All bowel cancer statistics in article from Bowel Cancer Australia, www.bowelcanceraustralia.org.
**2014, Department of Health, Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines, http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/health-pubhlth-strateg-phys-act-guidelines.

About ESSA

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is the peak professional body for exercise and sports science in Australia and provides national leadership and advocacy on key issues. It supports its 4,500-plus members and the community through fostering excellence in professional practice, education, training and research.
Website: www.essa.org.au

Official media spokespeople for this release

Anita Hobson-Powell
Executive Officer, Exercise & Sports Science Australia
E: Anita.Hobson-Powell@essa.org.au
P: 07 3862 4122
M: 0400 519 800

Katie Williams
Industry Development Officer, Exercise & Sports Science Australia
E: Katie.Williams@essa.org.au
P: 07 3862 4122

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