Learn more about managing:
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is the frequent passing of loose, watery faeces (stools or poo). It can also cause abdominal cramping, wind and pain.
Different types of treatment can cause diarrhoea:
| Surgery | If you have had part of your bowel removed, your bowel movements may be looser than you were used to. This is because the bowel absorbs water to form faeces. With a shorter bowel, the faeces don’t form as solidly as before. This may be ongoing, but there are many ways of managing diarrhoea. |
| Radiation therapy | Diarrhoea is a common side effect of radiation therapy. It can take some weeks to settle down after treatment has finished. For a small number of people, diarrhoea is ongoing. |
| Drug therapies | Chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy drugs can cause diarrhoea and nausea. These side effects will go away after treatment and you can gradually return to a normal diet. |
How to manage diarrhoea
- Eat small frequent meals instead of 3 big ones. Try eating every 2 hours.
- Low-fibre foods may be easier to digest. Examples include bananas, white rice, white pasta, white bread, potatoes, white fish and steamed chicken without the skin.
- Limit foods that increase bowel activity, e.g. caffeine; alcohol; spicy, fatty or oily foods; high-sugar fluids such as juice and soft/fizzy drink; artificial sweeteners.
- Raw fruit and vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals, or legumes (e.g. lentils, chickpeas) may make diarrhoea worse. If they do, you may want to cut back on these foods for a few days.
- Lactose in dairy foods may make diarrhoea worse. Try low-lactose or soy-based products instead.
- Talk to your treatment team about ways to control diarrhoea, such as using
- over-the-counter medicines and changing what you eat.
- Watch for warning signs of dehydration. These include a dry mouth, dark
- yellow urine, dizziness and confusion. If dehydration is left untreated, it can be dangerous.
- Drink plenty of water (about 6 glasses a day) to avoid becoming dehydrated. Consider having an oral rehydration solution, such as Hydralyte or Gastrolyte.
- If your anus becomes sore, clean the area with warm water and a soft cloth or soft/water wipes or anal cleansing wipes (e.g. Rectogesic). Ask your treatment team to recommend a cream. Taking a soothing bath may also help.
- Having diarrhoea can make you feel tired. Try to rest as much as possible and ask family or friends for help.
- Ask for a referral to a dietitian or physiotherapist who looks after bowel issues. If diarrhoea continues for a few days, see a doctor.
Wind (flatulence)
Many people who have treatment for bowel cancer find that it gives them wind (gas or farting). This especially happens after you have had surgery. However, it is usually temporary and improves over time.
Working out what foods cause wind and what you can eat without side effects may help – although foods can still affect people differently.
How to manage wind
- Try chewing charcoal tablets, eating natural yoghurt and drinking peppermint tea.
- Cut your food into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Chew your food slowly and thoroughly.
- When you have a drink, take small sips and don’t use a straw.
- Talk to your doctor about what types of light exercise you can do to relieve bloating and wind.
- Foods such as eggs, legumes (e.g. lentils and chickpeas), fizzy drinks, and sugar-free foods may increase gas. If they do, you may find it helpful to limit these foods.
- Try keeping a food and symptom diary (see Eating after treatment) to help identify foods that cause wind.
- Ask your doctor if there are any medicines that may be helpful to you.
→ READ MORE: Eating after treatment
Three months after the ileostomy, I went in for the reversal surgery. You have to stay in hospital until you pass wind, which took six days. Passing wind will never lose its amusement.
Richard
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More resources
Prof Alexander Heriot, Colorectal Surgeon and Director Cancer Surgery, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Director, Lower GI Tumour Stream, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr Cameron Bell, Gastroenterologist, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW; Graham Borgas, Consumer; Prof Michael Bourke, Director of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, NSW; Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria, VIC; Amanda Connolly, Specialist Bowel Care Nurse, Icon Cancer Centre Windsor Gardens, SA; A/Prof Melissa Eastgate, Operations Director, Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD; Anne Marie Lyons, Stomal Therapy Nurse, Concord Repatriation General Hospital and NSW Stoma Ltd, NSW; Lisa Nicholson, Manager Bowel Care Services, Bowel Cancer Australia, NSW; Stefanie Simnadis, Clinical Dietitian, St John of God Subiaco Hospital, WA; Rafi Sharif, Consumer; Dr Kirsten van Gysen, Radiation Oncologist, The Nepean Cancer and Wellness Centre, NSW; Sarah Williams, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Lower GI, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC.
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