The Bowel Movement
‘Sex is interesting, but it’s not totally important. I mean it’s not even as important (physically) as excretion. A man can go seventy years without a piece of ass, but he can die in a week without a bowel movement.’ ~Charles Bukowski: Notes from a Dirty Old Man.
‘Thou lump of vile deformity’ – Shakespeare, Richard III
Confronting Bowel Cancer
Bowel Cancer, or diagnostically, Colorectal Cancer is a horrific illness to be diagnosed with and for the vast majority of us it would be one of the most awkward, embarrassing and uncomfortable issues to confront and come to terms with. Bowel Cancer is an illness that, more often than not, is set to the side, spoken of only in discreet self-conscious terms, it shares this status of being a disease that is, by its very nature, acutely self-conscious with a long list of other cancers and diseases, for example, the infamous male demon that is ‘prostate cancer’ the painful and irritating ‘anal fissure’ the raw and embarrassing ‘haemorrhoids’ and the vile ‘Herpes’ and the rare and ever so degrading ‘Trimethylaminuria’(more commonly known as fish malodour syndrome, whereby the sufferer, due to a metabolic disorder, has increased excretion of trimethylamine in urine and sweat, which is characterised by a fishy body odour.) Of course, these illnesses all vary in severity and risk, but what they share in common is a similar level surrounding them of heightened discretion and sensitivity toward confronting them. This then is a brief confrontation with Bowel Cancer, a move to highlight the illness.
Primarily, there are two main areas which Colorectal Cancer can affect, the colon and the rectum, and just in case you had forgotten, the colon is the part of the digestive system where the waste material is stored and the rectum is the end of the colon adjoining to the anus. Together, they form a long, muscular tube called the large intestine (also known as the large bowel). Tumours of the colon and rectum are growths arising from the inner wall of the large intestine. Benign tumours of the large intestine are called polyps. Malignant tumours of the large intestine are called cancers. Bowel cancer is third most common cancer in the U.K. There are over 34,000 new cases registered each year and it claims up to 16,000 lives, according to NHS figures.
There are three main symptoms of Bowel Cancer - changes in bowel habit - such as prolonged constipation or diarrhoea - passing blood on or in stools (excluding haemorrhoids) - cramping stomach pains. And several genes can also be identified that may signal a hereditary predisposition to colon cancer. The average age when bowel cancer is first discovered is over 50, and it becomes increasingly common with advancing age. Very occasionally, it may affect much younger adults from the age of 20, but it pays to be vigilant at any age. In the vast majority of cases the symptoms aren’t caused by bowel cancer but point to something easily treated, such as irritable bowel syndrome or piles, however, if you. If it is reasonable concern and the Doctor feels it is warranted, then diagnosis is generally made by physical examination of the rectum and a laboratory examination of blood for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a tumour marker produced by colon cancers. These may be followed by an endoscopic examination of the colon with a sigmoidoscope (to examine the rectum and the adjoining sigmoid colon) which may involve a Doctor inserting a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to search for abnormalities, or colonoscope (to examine the entire colon). Finally, a biopsy of any suspicious tissue is then examined in a laboratory to determine if cancerous changes are present. Then, depending on the result, treatment will follow, and treatment is one of the hardest realities of any cancer and particularly Colorectal Cancer, they options never very pretty, if a large part of the colon has to be cut out then, in the worst case scenario a Colostomy bag may be needed,
A Bum Note
Many of us, particularly men, though women cannot be excluded, in our anxious sensitivities, are apt to lie ever in fear of tackling body problems, placing them in the darkest cupboard far in our mind. Like curmudgeonly old men, we refuse to talk about it, keep the pain private, keep the worry sealed, be like Steve McQueen, stoic and surly, trying to escape Nazi Doctors, all. But, in reality, such subjects should be written of and spoken of, not over dinner lets concede, but rather when and if the issue rears its ugly head. We should not shun it out of embarrassment, shame, disgust; we have got to be stronger than that, altogether more in control of ourselves and our bodies by being ready to take accountability for any breakdowns that occur.
Indeed, some men treat their suped up sports cars, Escort Turbo or Golf GTIs, with more respect and attention than their own body organism and in extreme cases even their own body functions. Look at it this way. If your car exhaust is faulty or spitting out poison or dripping undue regularity special oils which should normally be retained within the cars internal structure then, as a concerned owner you are likely to be concerned for the health of the car and thus resolve this potentially fatal problem by visiting your local car mechanic. The same logic should be applied to your own body, and particularly, to your own back passage, if your body acts up and gives off symptoms of some kind of malfunction, go to your local body mechanic i.e. your G.P. But let this not produce mass panic from all you hypochondriacs out there bound to run off bombarding your local G.P with psychosomatic symptoms of Bowel Cancer induced from this commentary, demanding an instantaneous colonoscopy, demanding a thorough investigation of your rectal passage. At most all this should do is let us consider, quite openly quite casually quite publicly, as people in well versed in taking control, in discussing the myriad problems of being alive, the possibilities and probabilities and actualities of, the dreaded tragic yet strangely comic disease that is Bowel Cancer. Lest this commentary be accused of scaremongering, let it be known that Bowel Cancer if caught reasonably early is one of the most curable cancers out there, along with testicular cancer and breast cancer. And the symptoms of Bowel Cancer cited are very genera and often symptoms are much less specific, being aware of your own body is perhaps the key issue first off.
It is important to highlight some, standard issue, preventative measures that not only help in avoiding Bowel Cancer but promote general good health and well-being. Of course, of central concern is having a good dietary pattern; a high-fibre diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables and carbohydrates (pasta, bread, rice) is believed to reduce your risk of Colorectal Caner and encourages a strong and energetic metabolism. Exercise is also a great stimulant for the body, particularly the cardiovascular system, simply being more active, walking more, can serve to counteract unhealthy patterns of living. In short – eat well, with plenty of fruit and veg, get fresh air and increase general activity. These preventions may seem paltry and futile in the face of actually diagnose with the illness, but it beats complete indifference. So, if you find that are worried about your colon or rectum, or any other body problems, don’t just sit on it, don’t hold back, don’t continue to secretly tremble with fear in your bath room, don’t be hysterically panicked if blood smears appear on the toilet paper after wiping, don’t construct elaborate imaginary lists of potential fatalistic outcomes regarding the condition of your health. Instead ask awkward questions. Grow up, have some balls, jut out your breasts, bring up your concerns, go get it checked out by you local G.P. It may not be the ultimate solution, but it is one of the best answers. Remember, the Doctors surgery is not a confessional box, you are not there for intense scrutiny and social judgement, you are not there to repent and receive chastisement, you are not there to be forgiven or redeemed in any spiritual sense– you are there to discuss, quite maturely, with a professional listener, the health and maintenance of the intricate universe that is your live body.
Bottoms Up
If you believe in a transcendental reality, controlled by a moralising God, then perhaps you perceive the body as a mere vessel, a vice, a dupe, of rotting flesh which has little to do with the Gods reality, and if you do you can dismiss this entire commentary as narrow-mindedly materialistic, concerning itself merely with the body and decay. If on the other hand, you believe in the body entirely and feel that this reality is the only world that can be demonstrated (or perhaps if you just sit quietly somewhere in the middle of these beliefs) then with this encouragement take note! if your body starts to exhibit signs of malfunction or fragmentation or degeneration, or you simply have a few worries disconcerting your fragile mind, do not hesitate, do not dither, take the matter into your own hands, usher aside vanity, laugh at inhibition, and go seek that advice, ask that question, pursue that inspection, schedule that treatment. Get your arse in gear, banish your fear, and listen to your body, brothers and sisters!
Links:
netdoctor.co.uk - online advice and information
bbc.co.uk/health - addressing all health issues
cancerscreening.nhs.uk/bowel/ - Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
Note: All information in this article is provided for informative purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. 
