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"Find a life worth enjoying": Dame Deborah's final letter to her family

<p dir="ltr">Dame Deborah James wrote a heartwarming letter to her family in her final days before succumbing to bowel cancer at the age of 40. </p> <p dir="ltr">The popular British media personality, mother-of-two and podcaster who raised millions of dollars for charity <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/vale-dame-deborah" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passed away</a> “peacefully” on June 28.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a section of a book titled How To Live When You Could Be Dead, Dame Deborah penned the final letter which her family would be left with. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I am currently sitting here next to the love of my life, Sebastien,” the letter began. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I never quite knew if you could really have a love of your life, but I now know what the very core of unquestioned love is between two people.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have always loved my husband. I fancied him from when I first met him, and I knew I would marry him after our third date. It was clear to me that, while he wasn’t perfect, there was something about him that was right for me.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She then reflected on their time together and said it was so important to take time for the marriage and how sometimes you forget your loved one is there when life gets busy. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s easy to forget that the person you love is still there in front of you when things are clouded by the annoyance of childcare logistics, money pressures and living like ships in the night,” her letter continued.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfXIN1-ob4X/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfXIN1-ob4X/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Deborah James (@bowelbabe)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I wish I had learned at a young age that making time for your marriage to work should be as much a part of your timetable as going to the gym or cleaning your teeth.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s important that you don’t allow the big arguments to build up, when all you really want is to forget about everything and cuddle the one person who you love.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Dame Deborah then got candid about her feelings following her diagnosis with cancer, confessing that she felt “robbed” for not being able to be herself. </p> <p dir="ltr">“As cancer brings my life to an end, I feel this cruel realisation that I’m not fully able to be myself with the one person I have adored and needed in my life more than anyone else,” she wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I feel robbed of the freedom of a body without pain to kiss with, the freedom for us to make whimsical plans for our future and retirement together.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Our goals and dreams have had to be adjusted week by week and day by day, depending on my cancer.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The media personality then reached a part for her children Hugo and Eloise as she recalled precious memories she had while raising them. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve learned that there are many ways to parent — nothing is right or wrong as long as there is love,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There are mental snapshots of being a parent that will never leave you. But the beautifully etched memories that will come to you in your death are not necessarily the ones you might expect.</p> <p dir="ltr">“One of my first is of Hugo when he was four days old. He was lying next to me in our double bed in our flat, and he was looking for my breast to feed on — he was yellow and had a big conehead.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I remember looking at this little 6lb ball cradled against my tummy and thinking that it was only at this point that I had begun to understand what love was.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I now look at that same 14-year-old boy, who still takes the time to cuddle up next to me on the sofa, and I would give anything to continue being able to protect him in the way I did when he was just four days old.” </p> <p dir="ltr">Dame Deborah then ended with a reminder, telling readers that it is okay to relax and take time for yourself. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Take time out. Relaxing isn’t an indulgence — it’s a form of refilling ourselves. None of us can drink from empty cups.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Each day, do things that make you happy — build them into your life and never criticise others for the things that make them happy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Every day we wake not knowing if we will see the full 24 hours of the day, so as the sun comes up on a new day, we should feel blessed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are given 86,400 seconds every day, and we each choose how to use them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It is only as they begin to slip away from us that we understand the value of each and every one of those seconds.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>You can read the entire letter from Dame Deborah James from How To Live When You Could Be Dead, by Deborah James out on August 18, 2022. </strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Deborah James sees the rose named after her

<p dir="ltr">Podcast host Deborah James’ visit to the annual Chelsea Flower Show was made particularly special when she was able to see a rose that has been named after her.</p> <p dir="ltr">James visited the show on Tuesday with her husband, where the couple were taken on an hour-long private tour and posed for photos alongside her namesake flower.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Flowers are a reminder of our future,” James said, per the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61587714" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a>. “We plant the seed not knowing what we might see grow.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Being around nature gives us a lift and it is a reminder that life continues to blossom, even in some of the hardest places, and brings a smile to all of our faces, even in the hardest of times - particularly mine.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-08540c7c-7fff-cd53-eb12-24d742270dba"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">James also shared the news with her fans on social media several days before her visit to Chelsea, admitting that she “actually cried” when Word of Roses and the Harkness Rose Company, which bred the rose, asked if they could name the flower after her.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdyqOLdomRQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdyqOLdomRQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Deborah James (@bowelbabe)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Roses are my favourite flowers and I hope this one will brighten the smiles for all!” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">James said she hoped the flower might feature in her daughter Eloise’s wedding bouquet in the future.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What breaks my heart and brings me the most beautiful thought, is that this variety will and can now be grown forever, and maybe one day even Eloise might choose to have it in her wedding bouquet.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The 40-year-old journalist <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/we-have-tried-everything-tv-host-stops-cancer-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently revealed</a> that she would be receiving end-of-life care for her bowel cancer.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7390d14b-7fff-e75f-e41c-3e2c2371b27b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Following her health update, over £3 million was raised for her campaign, the Bowelbabe Fund and James received a damehood from Prince William, who visited her home to present her with the honour.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdgvKgJoPzN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdgvKgJoPzN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Deborah James (@bowelbabe)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The sale of Dame Deborah James Roses will also contribute to her cause, with £2.50 from every rose sale being paid to the Bowelbabe campaign.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What also brings me so much joy is to know that the rose will also be incorporated into the company’s new Community Gardening Scheme which aims to get more vulnerable groups and people from underrepresented backgrounds involved in gardening,” James wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Harkness have pledged to give away 1,000 Dame Deborah James roses to community gardens across the UK this autumn time.”</p> <p dir="ltr">James described the rose variety as a “floribunda” which produces masses of white blooms with a subtle “ballet slipper pink” centre.</p> <p dir="ltr">The flowers will also be available to pre-order for delivery in Autumn 2022.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1cded974-7fff-fe43-7693-6aae9420c666"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @bowelbabe (Instagram)</em></p>

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Dame Julie Walters reveals frightening cancer diagnosis

<p>Veteran British actress Julie Walters has revealed she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2018.</p> <p>The<span> </span><em>Harry Potter<span> </span></em>and<span> </span><em>Mamma Mia!<span> </span></em>actress says the news of being diagnosed with stage three of the disease left her and her husband, Grant Roffey, in a state of shock.</p> <p>"I couldn't believe it," she told<span> </span><em>BBC's</em><span> </span>Victoria Derbyshire, describing the moment she told her husband as one she would “never forget”.</p> <p>"I'll never forget his face. And tears came into his eyes," she admitted.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8r1vjUgWRx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8r1vjUgWRx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Julie with her husband, Grant, and her daughter, Maisie, at the Buckingham Palace when she received her OBE (1999). #buckinghampalace #obe #JulieWalters #juliewaltersbrasil #damejuliewalters #britishcomedians #mammamia #educatingrita #michaelcaine #harrypotter #juliewaltersmovies #nationaltreasure #mollyweasley #billyelliot #juliewaltersbrasil #goldenglobewinner #calendargirls #educatingritauk #baftawinner #oscarnomination #london #bafta</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/juliewaltersbrasil/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Julie Walters Brasil</a> (@juliewaltersbrasil) on Feb 17, 2020 at 2:36pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The 69-year-old star says that despite being cleared of the disease around 18 months ago, the diagnosis left her pondering on her life.</p> <p>Decidedly, she has chosen to be more particular with the workloads and projects she takes on.</p> <p>The BAFTA-winning actress told Derbyshire that she visited her doctor after suffering from a number of symptoms, including indigestion, stomach pain and vomiting.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ydB1RgmZj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ydB1RgmZj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Julie Walters Brasil (@juliewaltersbrasil)</a> on Feb 20, 2020 at 4:15am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>While filming <em>The Secret Garden</em> Walters found out that a CT scan had uncovered an abnormality in her intestine, which specialists feared was cancer.</p> <p>The star underwent surgery, which removed approximately 30cm of her colon.</p> <p> She also underwent chemotherapy – both experiences she detailed as ones that “completely changed” her perspective towards acting.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8yv0Epgmym/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8yv0Epgmym/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Wizarding Washingtons (@the_wizarding_washingtons)</a> on Feb 20, 2020 at 6:59am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"I feel like the person before the operation is different to this person," said Walters, adding that she enjoyed stepping back from her intensive workload.</p> <p>Walters has been nominated for two Academy Awards — for her supporting roles in <em>Educating Rita</em> and <em>Billy Elliot</em> — and also played Molly Weasley in the <em>Harry Potter</em> movie franchise.</p> <p>"I'm not saying I'll never act again," Walters said.</p> <p>Instead, she says she will likely opt not to star in a film that required her to work 14-hour days, five or six days a week.</p> <p>A recent scan has shown Walters she has fully recovered from her frightening ordeal.</p> <p>As she moves on to new ventures, the actress says the new “merry-go-round” of acting projects lined up for her has given her a sense of “relief”.</p>

Movies

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6 silent symptoms of bowel cancer you might be missing

<p>Bowel cancer is more common in people over the age of 50. Rectal bleeding is the most obvious symptom of bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, but other signs may be far more subtle. If you notice any of the following signs, talk to your doctor.</p> <p><strong>You learn you’re anaemic</strong></p> <p>A diagnosis of anaemia may be the first sign that you’re bleeding internally, even if you haven’t seen any other bowel cancer symptoms. “If a woman is menstruating, anaemia is less likely to be followed up with additional tests to see if it could be something else, like bowel cancer,” says cancer specialist Dr Randall Holcombe. “If a man is anaemic, you assume he’s bleeding from somewhere.” It’s not uncommon for people to bleed internally for up to six months before anything shows up in the stool, says Dr Patricia Raymond, a university fellow in Gastroenterology. If you experience any signs of anaemia, such as fatigue, skin pallor or dizziness, see a doctor, as they can also be bowel cancer symptoms.</p> <p><strong>You can’t catch your breath</strong></p> <p>Another side effect of a slow internal bleed is shortness of breath. If you aren’t bleeding aggressively or vomiting blood, your body puts more plasma in the blood without making more iron or red blood cells, says Dr Raymond. This prevents you from losing blood in large volumes but reduces your blood’s ability to carry oxygen, which is why you might be short of breath – one of the overlooked bowel cancer symptoms.</p> <p><strong>You feel bloated or crampy</strong></p> <p>“If things are starting to get blocked and backed up in the colon, you may experience bloating,” says Dr Holcombe. If you’re feeling a little puffy or crampy, there are many other factors that may be to blame, but if stomach symptoms persist, it could be a symptom of bowel cancer. If you start to notice a constant pain in the right side of your abdomen, that may mean the disease is in the later stages and has spread to the liver, he says.</p> <p><strong>You have severe constipation</strong></p> <p>A bout of constipation here and there is probably nothing to worry about, but if it becomes severe and persistent, it could be one of the symptoms of bowel cancer. “This is suggestive of some sort of obstruction, and if it seems to be there all the time, you should get it checked out,” says Dr Holcombe.</p> <p><strong>You pass skinny stools</strong></p> <p>Pay attention to what’s in the toilet, even if you don’t see blood – it can reveal lesser-known bowel cancer symptoms. If your stool consistently takes on a very narrow or skinny shape when it was previously chunky, that could point to a restriction in the colon caused by polyps, says Dr Raymond. Persistent diarrhoea may also be one of the symptoms of bowel cancer.</p> <p><strong>Your stool is a strange colour</strong></p> <p>Bleeding from the rectum may not always come in the form of bright red blood, says Dr Holcombe. Dark, tarry stools are a sign there’s probably some blood in there, and while it could be caused by something less serious, like an ulcer, this can also be one of the symptoms of bowel cancer, he says.</p> <p><em>Written by Alyssa Jung. This article first appeared in </em><span><a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/conditions/cancer/6-silent-symptoms-of-bowel-cancer-you-might-be-missing"><em>Reader’s Digest</em></a><em>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, </em><a rel="noopener" href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRN93V" target="_blank"><em>here’s our best subscription offer.</em></a></span></p> <p><img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" /></p>

Body

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Easy lifestyle habits that prevent bowel cancer

<p><em><strong>Marissa Sandler is the CEO and co-founder of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.careseekers.com.au/" target="_blank">Careseekers</a></span>. Previously a social justice lawyer and researcher for over 15 years, Marissa is passionate about helping people live with dignity and finding innovative solutions to problems.</strong></em></p> <p>Eighty Australians die from bowel cancer every week. The month of June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and today is Bowel Cancer Australia’s Red Apple Day, where Australians are encouraged to support the vital work of Bowel Cancer Australia through the purchase of a Bowel Cancer Awareness Ribbon and apple themed fundraising activities.</p> <p>The risk of bowel cancer rises sharply and progressively from the age of 50, so if you are aged 50 years and over 'doing nothing is not an option' when it comes to bowel cancer.</p> <p>On a positive note bowel cancer is one of the most treatable types of cancer if found early. </p> <p>As we all know prevention is better than cure. It is estimated that changes to diet and physical activity could reduce the incidence of bowel cancer by up to 75 per cent.</p> <p>We have created seven easy-to-remember tips for everyday of the week to help you incorporate changes into your diet that can make all the difference.</p> <p><strong>Mondays – milk and moving</strong></p> <p>Studies show that milk (9 per cent decreased risk per 200g/d), and calcium (22 per cent decreased risk for groups with the highest calcium intakes – dietary and supplemental sources) probably protect against bowel cancer.</p> <p>Make Monday the day when you have that glass of Milk. If you are lactose intolerant or don’t like drinking milk you can have 2½ serves a day of milk alternative with added calcium (100mgs per 100mls). 
</p> <p>Start every Monday by doing a 30-minute walk. At least 30 minutes of physical activity every day is necessary to reduce the risk of bowel cancer.  If you are time poor make sure you can account for 10,000 steps. Some tips to do this – park the car two blocks further than you normally would, take the stairs, walk instead of drive to your local café or shops.</p> <p><strong>Tuesdays – treadmill and turmeric powder</strong></p> <p>There is a low incidence of bowel cancer in India and some research has linked this to the natural antioxidant curcumin which is the yellow pigment in the spice turmeric, used in curry powder. We cannot make sweeping generalisations about one food source and one culture, nevertheless turmeric is gaining popularity as a superfood. Add it to your serving of greens, in an omelette, over roasted vegetables or even have it as a tea.</p> <p>And don’t forget to get walking on a treadmill on Tuesday. Treadmill walking is a great controlled option for extreme weather days (too hot, too cold, too rainy) or if you prefer the safety of walking in a busy gym or at home if you are lucky enough to own a treadmill. Put it in front of the television or tune into a podcast or audio book – 30 minutes will feel like 5!</p> <p><strong>Wednesday – walking and wholemeal grains</strong></p> <p>Yes, we are walking again on a Wednesday. You should be walking an extra 30 minutes at quite a high intensity everyday so if it isn’t part of your weekly routine start off twice a week and before you know it you won’t be able to finish the day without a brisk walk. It doesn’t only help in the prevention of bowel cancer but it will improve your mood.</p> <p>You should always be choosing wholemeal breads over white bread. Ryes, sourdough and soy and linseed are excellent options. If you prefer white bread make Wednesday the day you swap over to wholemeal and hopefully soon it you will become your preferred bread.</p> <p><strong>Thursday – throw out processed meats and reduce your tipple</strong></p> <p>Although there are lots of things you should add to your diet there are also some elements which should be thrown away. Thursday can be the day where you throw away processed meats from your diet, cold cuts, sausages, salamis, canned meats. They are not nutritionally beneficial to your diet. If throwing away is too drastic, start by reducing the amount you eat. </p> <p>Limit consumption of alcohol to no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women, with two alcohol free days a week. 
</p> <p>Studies show a 10 per cent increased risk per 10g ethanol/day for bowel cancer.</p> <p><strong>Friday – fruits (especially those with edible skin) and fitness</strong></p> <p>You should be eating 2 serves of fruit every day and fruit with edible skin are filled with even more fibre. In winter get your hands on apples and pears and in summer you have even more choice; plums, peaches, nectarines, kiwi fruit (yes you can eat the skin of a kiwi fruit!)</p> <p>Here are some ideas for fitness on a Friday – yoga, Pilates, cycling, bushwalking, paddle boarding, sailing, golf, bowls, squash, or if you are in the mood- a dance class!</p> <p><strong>Saturday – swimming and sweet potatoes</strong></p> <p>Get your 30 minutes of exercise in on a Saturday by swimming. Swimming is a year-round sport. There are so many indoor pools, or if it is summer head to a nearby beach and get some activity in the water. Water aerobics is also a great option and lots of indoor pools have classes on a Saturday Morning.</p> <p>The high fibre food for today is sweet potatoes. Roast and bake them and serve them with sweet chilli sauce for a delicious snack that you can eat on the run. Don’t forget to leave the skin on for even more fibre.</p> <p><strong>Sunday – stroll and sweet tooth</strong></p> <p>Sunday can be the day you congratulate yourself for all your hard work in the week towards improving your lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of bowel cancer.</p> <p>Take a long stroll by yourself or with loved ones and reward yourself with something sweet. Sweet treats like cakes and biscuits are ok in moderation but if you really want to make sure it is nutritionally positive why don’t you try the following as a sweet treat?</p> <ul> <li>Dark chocolate</li> <li>Strawberries dipped in dark chocolate</li> <li>Smoothie</li> <li>Homemade fruit popsicle</li> <li>Baked fruits with cinnamon (apples or pears)</li> <li>Sugar free muffins</li> </ul> <p>Good luck. It is never too late to start making changes.</p>

Caring

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Everything you need to know about Irritable Bowel Syndrome

<p>Irritable Bowel Syndrome isn’t the most glamourous health condition out there, nor is it something people necessarily like to discuss outside their GP’s office, but the fact is around 10-15 per cent of the world’s population are likely to experience it.</p> <p>It’s one of those disorders that you could live with for years and not recognise what it really is. In fact, even those who recognise they have symptoms don’t always seek treatment. We spoke to Sydney nutritionist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eatlovebelieve/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Lisa El-Behnaihy</span></strong></a> to learn more about the condition.</p> <p>“It is characterised by abdominal cramping and altered bowel movements, although not all symptoms are gastrointestinal, with fatigue being a very common symptom,” she explains. “Signs and symptoms must be present for at least 12 weeks and the patient must have at least 2 of the 3 following features – a change in stool, a change in frequency of a bowel movement (i.e. diarrhoea or constipation) or abdominal pain/bloating.”</p> <p>Sufferers can develop IBS at any age, but some experts believe stress may be a factor. Women are also at a slightly higher risk of the condition, with around just one third of sufferers reported to men.</p> <p>While medication is available, IBS is best treated by changes to the sufferer’s diet. <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/health/body/2016/03/low-carb-diet-for-irritable-bowel/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Low-FODMAPs diet</span></strong></a> is particularly popular among those affected as it cuts out fermentable carbohydrates – a food group particularly triggering for sufferers.</p> <p>However, there are other small changes you can make to help alleviate symptoms. Here are Lisa’s top tips.</p> <ol> <li>Avoid trigger foods.</li> <li>Supplement your diet with a probiotic to repair and maintain healthy gut flora.</li> <li>Increase intake of water and fibre to encourage healthy bowel movements.</li> <li>Exercise more to maintain GI function and reduce stress, thus improving symptoms.</li> </ol> <p>In addition to the above, Lisa recommends a few nutrients to help reduce inflammation.</p> <ol> <li>Glutamine – also improves gut barrier function. Aim for between 500 and 3,000 mg per day.</li> <li>DHA/EPA – also regulates mood. Try for 1–3 grams per day.</li> <li>Curcumin – also provides antioxidant benefits. It is found in turmeric but also comes in tablet form.</li> </ol> <p><em>Any advice in this article is for information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment in any manner.</em></p>

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5 things you must do if IBS strikes on holidays

<p>Irritable bowel syndrome can ruin an overseas trip if you’re not prepared. As Dr Rob Matthews from Cremorne Medical states, “Travelling with IBS can be a real challenge as the new foods you are likely to eat can trigger a worsening of symptoms.”</p> <p>Here’s how you manage this condition when travelling overseas.</p> <p><strong>1. If concerned stick to bland foods</strong></p> <p>If you’ve noticed some of the symptoms of IBS (abdominal pain, bloating, cramps) you might be better off sticking to bland foods for the remainder of your journey. As Dr Matthews states, “It is recommended that you try to stick to blander foods which you are familiar with and avoid any foods which you know make your IBS worse.”</p> <p><strong>2. Make sure you’ve packed solutions</strong></p> <p>Preparing can make the major symptoms easier to manage if they do strike you down. As Dr Mathews states, “It is important to be prepared by carrying with you an antidiarrhoeal and also a laxative in order to manage any constipation or diarrhoea you may experience.”</p> <p><strong>3. Take care in underdeveloped countries</strong></p> <p>As Dr Mathews states, “Travelling in developed countries is often easier as there is generally better access to clean toilets and uncontaminated food.” If your itinerary includes places where you’ll be exposed to food and drink of a questionable quality, make sure you’re extra cautious in terms of what you’re putting in your mouth. </p> <p><strong>4. If IBS strikes try to relax</strong></p> <p>It’s probably the last thing you’re thinking of doing, but you can actually help ease the symptoms of IBS by relaxing.</p> <p>Even if it means taking a half day out of your schedule, the rest of your trip may benefit from the time off. As Dr Mathews says, “One of the best things you can do is try and relax and enjoy your trip as stress can often make matters worse.”</p> <p>Have you ever had a nasty case of IBS while you were on holidays? Let us know in the comments section below, we’d love to hear from you.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/09/things-to-consider-when-travelling-with-hearing-loss/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>4 things to consider when travelling with hearing loss</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/09/10-of-the-most-annoying-things-on-a-flight/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 of the most annoying things on a flight</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/09/how-to-manage-poor-vision-while-on-holidays/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>How to manage poor vision while on holidays</strong></span></em></a></p>

Travel Tips

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I survived bowel cancer

<p><em><strong>Marsie Hurren shares her incredibly brave journey of beating bowel cancer.</strong></em></p> <p>During September of 2014 I had visited my GP due to a change in bowel habit, he sent me off for a routine colonoscopy. After the procedure, the receptionist handed me an appointment card with another appointment the following week. I thought that a bit odd, I thought I would go back to my GP for the result but I had to come back to the clinic the following week.</p> <p>I didn't have to wait very long before being called into the Gastroenterologist's office. He starts off by saying "I could not complete the colonoscopy due to a blockage". My mind was racing, what does he mean, blockage? Why didn't he take it out? Then next thing I heard was "It is indicative of cancer". I don't really remember much after that, everything seemed to be in slow motion as we walked back to the car. The following days were a whirlwind of tests and appointments and I found myself in surgery a few days later to remove the tumour.</p> <p>So many things went through my mind, who would look after my partner, what would he do without me? My beautiful granddaughter, Hayley, I want to be here to see her grow up, and my children, who would guide and watch over them? Would they miss their mother as much as I did? I tried to remain positive but it was so hard. I joined a Facebook support group for Bowel Cancer Survivors which was a great source of information and support but during my time on this forum so many of our fighters have lost the battle. So many young people are being affected by this hideous disease, it breaks my heart. Young people with young families, why them and not me?</p> <p>Surgery was followed by nine months of chemotherapy. At times during the treatment I was so ill I actually wanted to die. I would drag myself out of bed every morning and look out my bedroom window at the garden that we had planned and talked about so much and wonder "Will I ever see it finished"? Then I would think of all the people I love, my partner, my beautiful children and my gorgeous little granddaughter and it would give me the fight to go on. Chemo was not very kind to me, it not only made me quite ill but it took away my self-confidence and instilled a fear that I cannot seem to shake off so many months later. My head is still foggy, like it was during chemo, I forget so many things. I suppose it will right itself eventually.</p> <p>But here I am 18 months later with another beautiful granddaughter, Olivia, and no evidence of disease! I have just commenced a six month "Healthy Living after Cancer" program run by the Cancer Council which is designed for those like me who have struggled to get back to “normal” after treatment. The program gives you over the phone coaching and support with diet and exercise and is really helping me put my life back on track.</p> <p>I will still need to have six monthly check ups and yearly scans for the next five years to ensure there is no reoccurrence but I'm still here. My motto is NEVER GIVE UP!</p> <p><em>For more information about bowel cancer, please visit the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.jodileefoundation.org.au/" target="_blank">Jodi Lee Foundation.</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/body/2016/06/colorectal-surgeon-on-why-over60s-need-to-screen-for-bowel-cancer/">A colorectal surgeon on why over-60s need to screen for bowel cancer</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/body/2016/06/bowel-cancer-screening-kit-saved-my-life/">The bowel cancer screening kit saved my life</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/body/2016/05/nick-lee-on-why-he-started-the-jodi-lee-foundation/">What I did after my wife passed away from bowel cancer</a></strong></em></span></p>

Body

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The bowel cancer screening kit saved my life

<p><em><strong>Lucy Shipp, 65, shares her bowel cancer journey to encourage everyone to take the bowel cancer screening kit.</strong></em> </p> <p>Three years ago when I was 62 years of age, the company I work for, Caterpillar of Australia, sponsored a bowel screening program (led by Nick Lee, of the Jodi Lee Foundation). We listened to a presentation and were provided with bowel cancer screening kits.</p> <p>I was shocked to find that my test came back positive. Within one week I was having a colonoscopy. Two large tumors where found and a number of polyps; the polyps were removed immediately during the initial colonoscopy.</p> <p>Tests on the two large tumors showed that I had early stage bowel cancer. <br /> <br /> The first tumor was successfully removed via a colonoscopy; unfortunately, the other one had to be surgically removed along with a 15 inch section of large colon. I was very fortunate not to lose a much longer section of colon because one tumor was on my left and the other on my right side. From the first diagnosis in August, these procedures were completed by October.</p> <p>I had taken the government supplied bowel cancer screening test when I was 50 and again at 55 years of age, neither resulted positive. There was no history of bowel cancer in my family, no one I knew had ever had it, and I never had any symptoms whatsoever, so had never given bowel cancer a second thought.</p> <p>My colorectal surgeon could not stress enough, that if I had waited for my next government supplied screening test at age 65, it would have been too late for me.</p> <p><img width="273" height="409" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/21480/lucy-shipp4-copy_273x409.jpg" alt="Lucy Shipp 4 - Copy" style="float: left;"/>If you are like me, I ask you to take the test. I know there are people who think it’s too hard, or that it’s going to be uncomfortable and embarrassing, so they keep putting it off, even if they have the kit in front of them. I would ask if a little discomfort is worth a life! </p> <p>Please get tested. It’s important and it’s easy to take the test. Taking the test could be the difference between life and death. I want you to know that even when you’re diagnosed with bowel cancer, so much can be done, with great success. I have succeeded in convincing friends and family, just how easy it is to take the test (read the pamphlet in the screening kit, fill in your details, and then leave the kit in the bathroom until you are ready). They have all since done the screening test and some have had to have the colonoscopy – all have had very good results.</p> <p>It’s been three years since I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to my family, friends, Caterpillar and the Jodi Lee Foundation who have been a truly wonderful support. I cannot give enough praise to the doctors and staff at the Austin and Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre for the excellent treatment I received during this whole affair.</p> <p>I look at my children and grandchildren and am constantly reminded of how very lucky I am, because without the initial bowel cancer screening test, I would not have suspected anything was wrong.</p> <p><em>For more information about bowel cancer, please visit the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.jodileefoundation.org.au/" target="_blank">Jodi Lee Foundation website here.</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/health/body/2016/05/nick-lee-on-why-he-started-the-jodi-lee-foundation/"><strong>What I did after my wife passed away from bowel cancer</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/health/body/2016/05/four-pillars-of-happy-and-healthy-ageing/"><strong>The 4 pillars of happy and healthy ageing</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/body/2016/03/how-to-spot-a-melanoma-from-a-mole/">How to spot a melanoma from a mole</a></strong></em></span></p>

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The low carb diet for irritable bowel

<p>The "Low-FODMAPs" diet is a confusing but scientifically proven to help with irritable bowel problems.</p> <p>Low-FODMAPs is perplexing because it requires you to avoid a long list of fermentable carbohydrates that are high in oligosaccharides (e.g. simple sugars), disaccharides (e.g. lactose), monosaccharides (e.g. high-fructose fruit and vegetables), and polyols (e.g. artificial sweeteners). </p> <p>Proven to be very useful in managing irritable bowel syndrome, if you want to try this diet, it is best done in consultation with their doctor or nutritionist.</p> <p>However, there's a need to differentiate between irritable/intolerant bowels and bowel inflammation diseases.</p> <p>Indeed, Low-FODMAPs isn't a cure-all. The science behind it is specific to hypersensitivity and intolerance, which results in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), rather than Inflammatory Bowel Diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (to which Low-FODMAPs has not been proven advantageous). </p> <p>When you have an intolerant bowel, your system is not inflamed but hypersensitive to some of those fermentable carbohydrates. Low-FODMAPs works by cutting all of the most likely culprits out of your diet completely, and then slowly adding them back in (after about six weeks on the diet) to see how your bowels react to individual foods. </p> <p>This is what we call an "elimination diet"; you're trying to eliminate what doesn't upset your bowels so you can find out exactly where your problem(s) lie.</p> <p>In recent years, the trends of gluten-, dairy-, and now sugar-free diets have surged in popularity. Those who are hypersensitive to any of these likely have a "carbohydrate intolerance". </p> <p>No, this isn't just another fad that gives you an excuse to say no to bread: It's a scientific term that means you're unable to digest certain carbs because you lack the appropriate intestinal enzymes to do so. </p> <p>If you're one of these people, the result of eating carbohydrates your body doesn't like often leads to IBS. This means you need to do "number twos" more than three times per day, or you get regularly constipated and can't go at all. </p> <p>Your stool quality may also be abnormal (it may be watery like diarrhoea). IBS affects the microflora in your stomach – you may have heard the term "leaky gut" online or in health magazines – which means the control that lines the small intestines "leaks" and doesn't work properly. </p> <p>The good news is, IBS is manageable. The Low-FODMAPs diet, although proven effective in three out of four people who try it (as reported in Gastroenterology journal), is not a palatable for everyone. Many will find it easier to eliminate one type of irritable carb at a time.  </p> <p>This is the reason the gluten-free industry has become so popular: While only about 1 per cent of people have celiac disease, surveys have reported around 30 per cent of people get upset stomach/bowels after eating gluten. Reducing or cutting it out allows many people to control their IBS symptoms. </p> <p>If gluten doesn't seem to be your greatest evil, do try omitting all dairy – e.g. milk, cheese, ice cream, yoghurt – from your diet for several weeks or a few months. If it has little-to-no effect (or you'd prefer to try it the other way around), omit all sugars that are processed, and those that naturally occur in high volumes, i.e. more than five grams of sugar per 100g. </p> <p>Carbohydrate intolerances are not the sole cause of IBS, though. Sufferers are also likely hypersensitive to caffeine because of its diuretic effect, and sometimes alcohol, smoking, high amounts of fat (like in fried foods). You should play the same elimination game with these to gauge your body's reactions. </p> <p>Foods that shouldn't upset the bowels, on the contrary, include all meat, low-fructose vegetables like leafy greens, capsicum, and tomatoes, potatoes and kumara, rice and quinoa, and dairy if it hasn't proved problematic in the past. </p> <p>Importantly, one of the major factors in upset bowels is stress. Medical journals such as Gut have been publishing studies finding very strong correlations between it and IBS.</p> <p>Alongside your diet, it is advisable to address your mental health, too, in any quests to manage upset bowels.   </p> <p>If your bowel health is compromised beyond the realm of IBS and you've been diagnosed with an Inflammatory Bowel Disease like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, you will need medication and possibly surgery.</p> <p>Any diet changes should be discussed with your doctor, not addressed on your own.</p> <p>Written by Lee Suckling, who has a master's degree specialising in personal-health reporting.</p> <p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/76295007/understanding-diets-for-irritable-bowels" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Stuff.co.nz</strong></span></a></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2015/12/poop-tells-you-about-body/">What your poop tells you about your body</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2015/10/how-to-lose-weight-after-60/">How to lose weight after 60</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2015/11/healthy-foods-that-make-you-hungrier/">5 healthy foods that can make you hungrier</a></strong></em></span></p>

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