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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How can I reduce flatulence after bowel cancer treatment?

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    Bowel Cancer Cancer Digestive Health
    I finished treatment 4 months ago and have a often flatulence, which is embarrassing and difficult to cope with at work and socially.
    I try to eliminate known problem foods, but still am not getting rid of it.
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  • Bowel Cancer Australia

    Bowel Cancer Australia is the leading community-funded charity dedicated to prevention, early diagnosis, research, quality treatment and care for everyone affected by bowel cancer. We … View Profile

    Hi there,

    Sorry to hear about your problem, unfortunately you are not alone. We are often told to start eating high fibre foods as soon as surgery is complete. This can suit some people but not all.

    If you are experiencing difficulty with wind try to cut down the amount of fibre in your diet for a few weeks and then slowly re introduce it until you are comfortable.

    By avoiding many of the known foods I think you may mean, beans, legumes and some vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and onion. But many other foods with a high fibre content can also cause wind.

    A good amount of fibre to aim for to start with is approximately 10 grams a day and slowly build back up to 25-30 grams once your bowel has settled down.

    This website has the fibre grams of most foods so you can plan your diet.

    http://huhs.harvard.edu/assets/file/ourservices/service_nutrition_fiber.pdf

    Take notice of the total fibre count, you will see fairly quickly that white rice, white bread and skinned and deseeded fruits are the best options to keep fibre low until you can return to normal fibre serves.

    You may also find some useful information on the Bowel cancer Australia website including -

    Kind Regards,
    Teresa
    Bowel Cancer Australia Nutrition Adviser
    www.bowelcanceraustralia.org


    Please Note: The information provided by Bowel Cancer Australia’s Nurse and Nutritionist Advisory Services is intended for Australian residents as a reference guide only. It is not a substitute for independent professional advice and is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or disorder.

    If you believe your symptoms are consistent with those of bowel cancer or a digestive illness, please consult your doctor.

    Bowel Cancer Australia, its directors, officers or medical professionals shall not be liable to any person, company or any other body for any loss, direct or indirect or consequential on whatsoever account for any omission or negligent misstatement.

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