Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month – April 2026

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Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month is observed in April and serves as a platform for raising awareness about bowel cancer. It is driven by many philanthropic organizations that have combined with the core goal of guaranteeing that no one dies from bowel cancer by the year 2050. Interestingly, even though bowel cancer is curable, it is still the second leading cause of death in the U.K. This is why this month-long event was created to raise awareness – and finances – to aid in the prevention of bowel cancer.

History of Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month

The earliest record of cancer dates from around 1600 B.C. and is found in Egyptian literature known as the ‘Edwin Smith Papyrus.’ In 1761, the physician John Hill identified tobacco snuff as the cause of nose cancer. Following this, British surgeon Percivall Pott reported in 1775 that cancer of the scrotum was a frequent condition among chimney sweeps. In the eighteenth century, with the widespread use of the microscope, English surgeon Campbell De Morgan found that the “cancer poison” traveled from the main tumor through the lymph nodes to other regions of the body. In the 1970s, a specific form of talk therapy based on the belief that cancer was caused by a negative attitude was a somewhat popular alternative cancer treatment in the U.S. Susan Sontag, who published the book “Illness as Metaphor” while recovering from breast cancer treatment in 1978, mocked the idea.

Thankfully, since U.S. President Richard Nixon announced the “War on Cancer” in 1971, a greater understanding of molecular biology and cellular biology has led to innovative cancer treatments.

During Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month, health groups host events to educate the public about the risk factors for bowel cancer and how to avoid the disease. Approximately 10% of instances are associated with a lack of physical activity, which is why an important component of the awareness month focuses on engaging in exercise routines and taking long walks.

Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month timeline

1600 BC
The First Record

Researchers discover the first record of cancer written in an Egyptian text.

19th Century
The Standard Definition

An English surgeon develops a standard definition for cancer diagnosis.

1761
The Cause of Nose Cancer is Discovered

A physician known as John Hill discovers the cause of nose cancer.

The 1970s
Effective Cancer Treatment Begins

Research into molecular biology begins to yield effective treatments for several types of cancer.

Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month FAQs

What is the importance of cancer awareness?

Cancer awareness is the key to early detection and better health-seeking behavior.

What does a Cancer symbol look like?

Cancer is symbolized by the Crab and its glyph depicts a sideways “69,” representing crab claws or a woman’s breast since Cancer is the sign of womanhood and motherhood.

What are the ribbons for cancer?

The colors associated with the most frequent kinds of cancer are as follows:
White: lung cancer. Gray: brain cancer. Pink represents breast cancer. The emerald color represents liver cancer. Lime green for lymphoma and light blue for prostate cancer. Periwinkle blue represents stomach cancer. Yellow represents bone cancer.

How to Observe Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month

  1. Educate yourself and your peers

    There are numerous ways to learn more about bowel cancer, such as reading articles online, speaking with your doctor, or attending a support group meeting. You can also raise awareness by giving your friends and family educational material or by giving talks at local events.

  2. Get screened for bowel cancer

    It is critical to get screened for bowel cancer if you are over the age of 50. Early detection is very important if you want to stop the disease from getting worse.

  3. Donate to a bowel cancer charity

    Numerous charities raise funds to help bowel cancer research and treatment. Consider donating to one of these organizations if you want to do more to help battle this disease.

5 Facts About Cancer Everyone Should Know

  1. Cancer kills millions yearly

    Cancer is projected to kill approximately 10 million people worldwide each year.

  2. The annual economic cost runs into trillions

    Cancer's overall annual economic cost is estimated to be $1.16 trillion.

  3. Many types of cancer are preventable

    Researchers think that over half of all cancer cases and up to half of all cancer deaths are preventable.

  4. Mole rats are immune to cancer

    The bodies of these African mammals that live underground are full of a substance called hyaluronan, which acts as a lubricant and stops cancer from growing.

  5. There are over 200 types of cancer

    Over the last decade, we've discovered that there are over 200 different types and subtypes of cancer.

Why Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month is Important

  1. Increases awareness of a serious disease

    Bowel cancer is a deadly disease that frequently remains unnoticed until it is too late. Raising awareness of the condition has the potential to save lives.

  2. It raises money for researching a cure

    One of the primary purposes of bowel cancer awareness month is to raise funds for researching a cure. The funds are used to pay for important research projects that could lead to a new way to treat bowel cancer.

  3. Support for those affected by bowel cancer

    Bowel cancer is a frightening diagnosis, and individuals afflicted need all the help they can get. Bowel cancer awareness month events and activities provide much-needed assistance to individuals impacted by the disease.

Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month dates

Year Date Day
2026 April 1 Wednesday
2027 April 1 Thursday
2028 April 1 Saturday
2029 April 1 Sunday
2030 April 1 Monday