HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Reducing your risk of bowel cancer
Te whakawhāiti i tō tūraru mate pukupuku terotero
Taking part in the free National Bowel Screening Programme when you become eligible (currently when you are between 60 and 74) is the most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of bowel cancer. It could help save your life by finding bowel cancer at an early stage where it can often be successfully treated.
Keeping a healthy weight and being physically active will both reduce your risk of bowel cancer. Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days.
What you eat and drink can also affect your risk of bowel cancer.
- Limit red meat to no more than 700 g (uncooked weight) a week and avoid processed meat such as bacon, ham, salami and corned beef.
- Have at least 5 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit each day. See How to eat more vegetables and fruit for advice about adding more vegetables and fruit into your diet.
- Have some grain foods each day. Choose mostly wholegrains and those naturally high in fibre, such as wholegrain bread and cereal and brown rice.
- Cut down on alcohol. To prevent cancer, it is best not to drink alcohol at all. If you do drink alcohol, follow national guidelines on how much to drink safely.
Smoking also increases your risk of bowel cancer. If you smoke, it is never too late to stop. The earlier you quit, the better.
On the next page: National Bowel Screening Programme
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2024.
SourcesReview key: HIBWC-17275
