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DMRC Headley Court January 2011

HEALTH AWARENESS LEAFLET Issue 1/11 

8 tips for eating well

Monthly Health Theme 

What is bowel cancer?Bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer or coloncancer) is any cancer that affects the colon (large bowel)and rectum (back passage).

Most bowel cancers start as benign innocent growths – called polyps – on the wall of the bowel. Polyps are likesmall spots or cherries on stalks and most do not producesymptoms. Polyps are common as we get older and mostpolyps are not pre-cancerous.

One type of polyp called an adenoma can, however,become cancerous (malignant). If left undetected thecancer cells will multiply to form a tumour in the bowel.

If untreated, the tumour can grow into the wall of the bowelor back passage. Once cancer cells are in the wall, theycan travel into the bloodstream or lymph nodes; from herethe cancer cells can travel to other parts of the body. Forbowel cancer, the most common places for bowel cancercells to spread to are the liver and the lungs. The processof spread is called metastasis.

The earlier bowel cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat

Bowel cancer symptomsThe first step you can take to protect against bowel canceris to make sure you are aware of the symptoms. And mostimportantly, see your MO if you are at all concerned.

If you have any of the higher risk bowel cancer symptomslisted below for more than six weeks you should visit yourMedical Centre.

Bleeding from the bottom (rectal bleeding) without any

obvious reason. If you have other symptoms such asstraining, soreness, lumps and itchiness the problem islikely to be piles but it’s still important to get this confirmedby your medical centre

A persistent change in bowel habit especially going tothe toilet more often or experiencing looser stools forseveral weeks

Abdominal pain especially if severe

A lump in your tummy 

Weight loss and tiredness (signs of anaemia)Please remember that most of these symptoms will not bebowel cancer, but to rule it out you must first visit yourmedical centre. 

For more information: http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org 

Tip of the month

“Stick with the New Years resolutions.You made them for a reason so don’t lose sight ” 

Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets

knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?

Whats on this month

Jan 4World Braille Day World Blind Unionhttp://www.worldblindunion.org 

Jan 5Hypoparathyroidism Awareness DayHypoparathyroidism Ukhttp://www.hypoparathyroidism.org.uk  Jan 23 – 30Cervical Cancer Awareness Week Jo’S Trust Fighting Cervical Cancehttp://www.jotrust.co.uk Jan 24 – 30Leprosy Week Lepra Health In Actionhttp://www.lepra.org.uk Jan 24 – 30Be Loud! Be Clear!Beating Bowel Cancerhttp://www.beatingbowelcancer.org Jan 24 – 30Cancertalk WeekMacmillan Cancer Supporthttp://www.macmillan.org.uk 

Jan 24 – 28Food Allergy & Food Intolerance WeekAllergy Ukhttp://www.allergyuk.org Jan 30World Leprosy DayLepra Health in Actionhttp://www.lepra.org.uk Jan 31 National Bug Busting DayCommunity Hygiene Concernhttp://www.chc.org 

Foreword by theCommanding Officer DMRC 

Health is something we take for grantedand illness an inconvenient consequence

of daily living. However, much illness ispreventable by making reasonable lifestyle choices such as taking regularexercise, eating a healthy diet,moderating alcohol consumption and notsmoking. In addition, the cause of muchdisease can be altered for the better byseeking advice early. This health awareness leaflet will provideuseful information on a variety of healthissues and I would strongly urge you allto take a moment to read its contents.The least that will happen is that you willhave an opportunity to improve yourhealth.

Editors notes

If you have any comments please contact

SSgt Jon Street APTC on 95238 7030

These practical tips can help you makehealthier choices this year. The two keysto a healthy diet are eating the correct 

amount of food for how active you areand eating a range of foods to make sureyou're getting a balanced diet .

A healthy balanced diet contains a

variety of types of food, including lots offruit, vegetables and starchy foods suchas wholemeal bread and wholegraincereals; some protein-rich foods such asmeat, fish, eggs and lentils; and somemilk and dairy foods

1. Base your meals on starchyfoods

2. Eat lots of fruit and veg3. eat more fish4. Cut down on saturated fat and

sugar5. Try to eat less salt – no more

than 6g a day6. Get active and try to maintain a

healthy weight7. Drink plenty of water8. Don’t skip breakfast

For more information and advice contact: 

Your Medical Centre or visithttp://www.eatwell.gov.uk 

References: http://www.hpro.nhs.uk accessed 18 Jan 11http://www.eatwell.gov.uk accessed 18 Jan 11http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org accessed 18 Jan 11

Your APTC Health Trainer can helpyou maintain a healthy weight just 

ask!