This post was originally published in the NZ Plumber Oct - Nov2022 issue. Kelly trained and worked as a Registered Dietitian prior to the business and is passionate about creating healthy work environments in the Trade industry.
The information in this blog is not intended to replace advice and information given to you by medical professionals. This blog cannot provide readers with all the information necessary to diagnose and treat a medical condition or nutritional problem. Those who are unwell or have concerns should always seeks advice from their GP.
Slop, feces, waste, dung…the list goes on. As Plumbers, you will be familiar with synonyms for poo. Let’s face it, you deal with other people’s crap on a weekly basis. But how comfortable are you talking about your own drainage system? Although not a pleasant talking topic, with an estimated 3 deaths a day from bowel cancer in New Zealand, it could be a lifesaving conversation.
Bowel cancer is cancer of the colon and rectum. Obvious signs are bleeding and changes in bowel motions, e.g., how often you go, diarrhoea, constipation, or an incomplete ‘emptying’ feeling. However, these signs are not always present. Less obvious symptoms such as abdominal pain, tiredness, and unintentional weight loss can be attributed to various problems. Unfortunately, these symptoms signal late stages of the disease, labelling bowel cancer as the ‘silent killer’.
You can’t change genetics and family history, but there is strong evidence the foods and drinks we consume influences our risk. The following tips help decrease your risk of bowel cancer:
Increase wholegrain foods and dietary fibre:
- Switch every-day breads, pasta, rice, crackers to wholegrain (‘brown’) varieties.
- Ditch the sugar-filled cereals and stick with porridge or Weet-Bix.
- Colour up every meal with vegetables –leave the skin on where possible.
- Snack on fruit, vegetable sticks, grainy crackers, and unsalted nuts and seeds.
- Add legumes (chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils) to soups, curries, and casseroles.
Include low-fat dairy products in your daily diet.
Limit red meat to 500g (cooked) or less per week.
Fish, chicken, eggs, legumes and tofu are great protein-rich alternatives.
Include alcohol-free nights each week, and stick to the 2-3 standard drinks when you do drink.
Finally, trust your gut instinct! If something doesn’t feel right, visit your GP. Don’t be shy asking for tests or even a second opinion until you are confident everything is clear.
References:
Bowel Cancer New Zealand (sited 2022). About bowel cancer: symptoms & statistics. https://bowelcancernz.org.nz/about-bowel-cancer/what-is-bowel-cancer/symptoms-statistics/
World Cancer Research Fund Internation (sited 2022). Colorectal cancer. https://www.wcrf.org/diet-activity-and-cancer/cancer-types/colorectal-cancer/
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