The Most Beard-iful Time of the Year
It’s the time of year that we all look forward to, school’s coming to an end, holidays are looming, and we all start thinking of winding down, catching up with family and friends, and of course, Christmas. The month of December is always a busy time, and we often forget to just stand back and take some time to chill after a hectic year. It’s the perfect time to let it all hang out, and by that, we mean your hair!
You can create an individual or team fundraising page in just minutes and invite everyone you know to make an online donation to your hairy fundraiser in support of Bowel Cancer Australia. Create your profile on the Decembeard website, set your target, add a picture and a bit about why you’re getting involved and you’re good to go!
Astonishingly, bowel cancer is estimated to have been diagnosed in more than 15,500 Australians this year alone, and sadly, more than 5200 deaths have occurred. Bowel cancer doesn’t discriminate, and effects men and women, old and young.
There are a number of signs to look out for if you have concerns about bowel cancer, and the signs and symptoms can include:
- A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhoea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than a couple of weeks.
- Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
- Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
- A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely
- Weakness or fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
The risk of bowel cancer is largely determined by the lifestyle choices we make, but did you know that your risk is much higher if you have a family history of bowel cancer, or if you have a hereditary condition? Did you know that you can be proactive by testing for your genetic predisposition to bowel cancer? EasyDNA Australia offers the Genetic Predisposition test, which analyses your unique DNA for a genetic predisposition to bowel cancer, as well as 33 other genetic conditions.
The test reveals your risk of developing the disease, and also provides a risk assessment (high, medium, or low) of your developing colorectal cancer during your lifetime, comparing it to the rest of the population. This test is beneficial to people wanting an insight into their potential health future, and may help to alleviate worries associated with having a strong family history of diseases like bowel cancer. Your personalised results can prompt you to take preventative action so that you minimise your risk of getting a genetically inherited disease.
This December, pledge your support to your loved ones, by embarking on a hair-growing or hair shaving journey. Embrace your inner hipster, become a hairy Hagrid, or go for a smooth shaved look to get in the spirit of Decembeard. EasyDNA Australia will be getting hairy throughout December, and we hope that you can ‘Let it Grow’ to help raise vital funds for bowel cancer through this fun initiative.