Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are less likely to die from bowel cancer than non-Indigenous people according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The announcement comes as Bowel Cancer Awareness Week begins on Sunday June 8.
Bowel cancer - also known cancer of the colon or rectum - is a malignant growth that forms in the lining of the large bowel. It usually develops from tiny growths called polyps and is one of the most curable cancers if detected early.
Although not all polyps become cancerous, they should be removed by colonoscopy to reduce the risk of bowel cancer.
And Department of Health and Community Services Aboriginal Policy Assistant Secretary Shane Houston said the Territory has significantly lower incidence of bowel cancer when compared to other Australian states.
"Only 46.6 cases are found for every 100,000 people in the NT. That's compared to around 65 cases for every 100,000 in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.
"The AIHW study shows that people living in very remote areas have significantly lower incidence of bowel cancer than those living in other areas of Australia," Mr Houston said.
And Indigenous people are better off.
"Between 2001 and 2005, the states of QLD, WA, SA and the NT recorded only 58 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who died from bowel cancer compared to almost 8,000 non-Indigenous people.
"The risk is greater for people over 50 years; those with a family history of bowel cancer; a personal history of cancer of the colon, rectum, ovary or breast; a history of polyps in the colon; or a history of Crohn's disease.
"Signs of bowel cancer can include a change in your bowel habit; blood in your faeces; diarrhoea; constipation; frequent gas pains or bloating; weight loss for no reason and vomiting. These symptoms don't necessarily mean you have bowel cancer but you should discuss them with your doctor," said Mr Houston.
Recently scientists from the University of Edinburgh found that a genetic marker is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer in people of certain ethnic origin.
Media contact: Cameron Jackson, DHCS Media Liaison Officer 0401 116 144
Media note: The full report is available from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website�
http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10545
http://www.bowelcanceraustralia.com
Release date: 6 June 2008
