The one conversation about bowel cancer we still need to have.

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Let's be honest, no one enjoys talking about bowel movements. It feels awkward, a little gross and way too personal.

Whether it's with friends or a doctor, we tend to avoid the conversation altogether, hiding behind euphemisms or pretending everything's fine.

But when it comes to our health, that silence can be dangerous.

To help break the stigma and arm us with the facts, we spoke to Dr Janice Tan, a GP and General Manager of Clinical Innovation at Bupa.

Dr Tan began with a conversation we still need to have: bowel cancer often shows no symptoms in its early stages.

"The most critical thing is that many people feel completely well with no obvious symptoms, yet cancerous changes could already be underway," she told Mamamia.

Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in Australia, affecting both men and women. And while it has traditionally been seen as a disease of older adults, Dr Tan said we're seeing a worrying rise in younger patients.

"There are several sorts of social factors contributing to this, (but) mainly young people tend to think they're invincible and are less likely to go and see a doctor," Dr Tan explained. "These are sort of the higher risk groups, and where we're seeing the rates of bowel cancer rising."

When it comes to bowel cancer, early detection is vital as 90 per cent of cases can be cured if caught early enough, according to Cancer Council NSW.

Getting to know your bowel.

Every single person is unique, which means everyone has individual bowels and habits.

Dr Tan encouraged everyone to become what she calls "bowel aware".

This is a term she's coined to describe paying attention to your regular bowel habits and recognising any persistent changes.

"People should pay attention to their usual bowel habits — whether they go once a day or once every two days. Noting this can help them recognise persistent changes, like more diarrhoea or increased constipation."

In addition to unexplained changes in bowel habits, Dr Tan outlined other "subtle" symptoms to look out for.

These include:

• Blood in stools or on toilet paper.

• A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely.

• Unexplained weight loss.

• Abdominal pain or cramping.

• Fatigue or weakness.

"These symptoms can be quite subtle, which is why it's so important to be aware of your own body at any age and know what's normal for you," Dr Tan said.

In Australia, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program helps with this by offering free, non-invasive at-home screening kits to eligible people aged 45 to 74. After your first test, and for people aged 50 and over, these kits are automatically sent by mail every two years.

"You use it to collect some small samples of your stool three days in a row," Dr Tan explained. "The test detects microscopic blood, and if any is found, your GP will be notified as the next step."

From there, a GP can refer you to a gastroenterologist who will likely proceed with a colonoscopy to investigate further.

Dr Tan said the conversation changes when someone comes in at a younger age, and is identified as being at higher risk.

"This is where things start to get a bit more personalised," she said. "We begin by asking questions like who in your family was diagnosed with bowel cancer, at what age, and whether they were an immediate relative or a more distant cousin."

"If there are any existing symptoms, we might even say, 'Let's just skip the bowel screening test and go straight to a gastroenterologist or specialist for a colonoscopy'."

For those after more information, check out the Bupa website, which offers general information and articles about bowel screening and women's health.

Beyond screening and symptom awareness, Dr Tan offered simple, practical advice for keeping bowels in good shape.

Eat a high-fibre diet: "I'm a huge fan of this. So lots of balance; fruit, vegetables and whole grains," she said.

Stay hydrated: Water keeps things moving.

Exercise regularly: Physical activity supports healthy digestion.

Limit alcohol: "The current recommendation for non-excessive alcohol intake is no more than 10 standard drinks per week, and no more than four on any one day," Dr Tan explained.

Avoid smoking: Smoking increases the risk of many types of cancers.

Aim for regular bowel movements: "What we should be aiming for is going to the toilet every one to two days."

Your health is worth that one conversation.

Bowel cancer may not be the easiest topic to bring up, but it's too important to avoid.

The discomfort of an awkward conversation is nothing compared to the consequences of leaving symptoms unchecked or skipping a routine screening.

As Dr Tan said, the earlier we act, the better the outcome.

"Honestly, in my experience, when we normalise the topic and start to talk about it as if we're talking about your foot or your hand, you treat it like any other health discussion.

"I think that's when we have the opportunity to catch issues earlier and make it easier for people to reach out as well."

Visit Bupa's website for women's health and wellness articles.

This information is general in nature and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. As with any medical condition, always seek health advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Figures sourced from Cancer Council NSW research on bowel cancer screening (2010-2017). https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/research-pt/calculating-impact-bowel-cancer-screening/.

Feature Image: Getty.

Bupa is dedicated to empowering women to take control of their health at every stage of life. Visit bupa.com.au/womens-health-and-wellness for women's health articles and feel good health catch on.