Trust your gut!

Did you know that bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related death in in Australia? And although it’s traditionally considered an issue for people aged 50 and above, it is now the most common cause of cancer death for Australians aged 25-29. But the good news is it doesn’t have to be – with prevention, awareness and treatment, this can change.

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness month in Australia and as the leading voice for bowel cancer prevention, The Jodi Lee Foundation encourage everyone of all ages to pay attention to their digestive health and if you notice unusual symptoms, be sure to trust your gut and get it checked out.

The Jodi Lee Foundation was established in honour of Jodi Lee, who lost her battle with bowel cancer at age 41. Since 2010 they have been on a mission to empower people to take active steps to prevent bowel cancer, act quickly on symptoms and live healthy lives.

MOJO are all for good gut health, and are proud to have been working this year with Jodi Lee, joining their Trust Your Gut campaign and major fundraising events such as The JLF Trek.

Team MOJO encourage everyone to look after their gut health and take Jodi Lee’s B.E.A.T. challenge today:

B – Be Healthy and Active
One way to reduce your risk of bowel cancer is to lead a heathy and active lifestyle by moving your body regularly, eating lots of fibre, fresh fruit and veggies, drinking plenty of water and reducing your red meat intake. Adding fermented foods, probiotics and prebiotics to your diet can also help support your digestive health by improving your gut’s balance of good versus bad bacteria – and therefore it’s overall optimal function – that can be affected by everyday life, such as stress, alcohol consumption and eating poorly.

MOJO is one (delicious) way to get your daily dose of gut-loving good bacteria. Each bottle of our  beverages contain 1 billion living organisms of Bacillus Coagulans GBI-30 6086, a probiotic strain that is 10 times more likely than dairy-based cultures to reach your gut alive and act effectively. From there our probiotics, enzymes and organic acids are able to  support digestive and immune health  by producing L+ Lactic acid. This supports the good bacteria already living in the gut and displaces any harmful organisms. Cheers to good guts!

E – Explore your Family History
Most people who develop bowel cancer don’t have a family history of the disease. However, if one or more of your relatives have been diagnosed with bowel cancer, you may have an increased risk. Be sure to make yourself aware of your family history so you can be proactive about screening if need be.

A – Act on Symptoms
Recognising bowel cancer symptoms and acting quickly is important for early detection of the disease, as over 90% of cases can be successfully treated if diagnosed before the cancer spreads. You know your body better than anybody – trust your gut if something feels out of whack! There are many other, less serious reasons you may be experiencing such symptoms, but seeing your doctor and getting to the bottom of the problem is likely to improve your overall wellbeing either way. Regardless of your age, speak to your GP immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Bleeding from your bottom or blood in your bowel movements, even if only occasional should never be ignored
• A change in bowel habits for longer than a week, such as going to the toilet more frequently, diarrhoea-like motions, or feeling that the bowel does not completely empty
• Bowel movements that are narrower than usual
• Frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness or cramps
• Persistent and severe abdominal pain, which has come on recently for the first time
• A lump in your stomach or rectum
• Unexplained feelings of tiredness, breathlessness or a lack of energy
• Unexplained weight loss or vomiting

T – Take a Screening
When in doubt, check it out! Medical guidelines in Australia recommend screening for bowel cancer at least once every two years from the age of 50. However, we know bowel cancer can and does affect younger people too. June 4-10 2018 is Bowel Cancer Australia’s annual ‘Never Too Young‘ awareness week, an important reminder that all Australian adults need to be mindful of bowel cancer. So, if your risk is elevated or you are experiencing symptoms, speak to your GP about a screening.

Let’s help Jodi Lee fulfil their vision of eliminating bowel cancer – take the B.E.A.T. challenge, and support the amazing work of the Foundation by making a donation or getting involved with one of their events.

Cheers to your health!

Team MOJO.