Pancreatic Cancer
Gut Cancers
With over 5,700 New Zealanders diagnosed every year, gut cancers are the most common form of cancer in New Zealand
Gut cancers are those cancers the digestive system. Also known as gastro-intestinal cancers they include the bowel, pancreas, stomach, oesophagus, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and anus.
Learn about the different types of gut cancer, symptoms and risk factors, as well as information to support patients and whānau from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.
Risk factors
Following are some risk factors that may increase the chance of developing a gut cancer:
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Obesity
- Diet high in animal fat
- Diet containing high amounts of salted, cured, or poorly preserved foods
- A diet low in fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Increasing age
Based on the known risk factors for gut cancer, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing cancer:
- Do not smoke
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Be physically active
- Eat a diet high in vegetables and fruit
- Limit your intake of alcohol
For more information on nutrition recommendations and recipes, see nutrition & recipes
- Being aware of medical conditions that may increase your risk of developing gut cancers
- Having a better understanding of your gut health and learning about the way your body naturally functions so that you can recognise any changes in bowel habits
- Participate in the free Bowel Screening Aotearoa after the age of 60 years (to be rolled out throughout New Zealand by 2020).
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