Welcome to the WA Bowel Health Study Homepage Bowel cancer is the 2nd most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australians, after non- melanocytic skin cancer. About 10% of bowel cancers can be linked to a family history or genetics. The remaining 90% are thought to be linked to environmental and lifestyle factors. So far, a lot of research has been devoted to identifying which environmental and lifestyle factors can be linked to cancer of the large bowel. Many research studies have inconsistent findings, which we believe is because there are actually different causes of cancers in the different sides (left versus right) of the large bowel. For example, FACTOR X increases the risk of cancer developing in the left side of the bowel, but not in the right side of the bowel. The goal of the WA Bowel Health Study (WABOHS) is to identify the environmental and lifestyle factors that may contribute specifically to the development of bowel cancer in different areas of the large bowel. We are also interested in the interactions between these lifestyle factors and low-risk genes that may lead to cancer in different areas of the large bowel. This study will help clarify the role of a range of risk factors in bowel cancer. Hence it will help us develop a way of reducing this cancer in the community. If you have any questions about the study, please contact the WABOHS Project Coordinator (Jenny Landrigan) on (08) 6488 1290 or 1800 131 160 (free-call number) between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. | 
