5,000 people die from bowel cancer each year making it one of Australia's biggest cancer killers

Around 25 per cent, or more than 3,000 of the 13,000 bowel cancers diagnosed in Australia every year could be prevented if men and women maintained a healthy body weight, ate a healthy diet and engaged in daily physical activity.

Almost 5,000 people die from bowel cancer each year making it one of Australia's biggest cancer killers. Yet many people do not know that a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of this disease.

The Cancer Council Australia  has developed a public health campaign which links the three elements of good nutrition, physical activity and healthy body weight with bowel cancer prevention.

Professor Dallas English from The Cancer Council Victoria's Cancer Epidemiology Centre said the best recipe for cancer prevention was maintaining a healthy body weight, being active every day and reducing the overall intake of energy.

The waist measurement is the best indicator in assessing whether or not you are in the healthy weight range. The waist measurement should be below 94cm for men and below 80cm for women.

HealthInsite has a topic area on bowel cancer with links to information on risk factors and treatments. HealthInsite's topic areas on diet and overweight, diet and cancer and exercise, fitness and sports also have links to a range of useful information on getting fit.

The Healthy and Active Quizzes topic page links to quizzes that can help you assess your body weight, food and exercise habits.