Passing wind

This page is about cancer and passing wind. Passing intestinal gas is called flatulence and is normal for everyone. We all do it on average about 15 to 25 times a day. But sometimes illness, what you eat, and stress can increase the amount of wind you pass each day. Although this is not a serious problem, or a sign that your cancer is getting worse, it can be embarrassing and worrying.

Sometimes your cancer and its treatment may create to much gas in the digestive system making you pass wind more frequently than usual. Several things can make flatulence worse. These include

Eating some high fibre foods
Swallowing too much air
Drinking gassy drinks, including beer
Smoking
Lactose intolerance

It isn’t possible to stop flatulence altogether but there are things that you can do to help control it. Try

Avoiding foods that make it worse, such as cabbage, corn, brussel sprouts, onions, beans and cauliflower
Eating slowly and chewing your food for longer – this lessens the amount of air you swallow and helps to break your food down before it enters your stomach and bowel
Activated charcoal tablets or powders, because these can absorb smell and may help
Eating ginger, because this is said to help digestion

Some processed foods contain ingredients, such as sweeteners or preservatives that can cause wind, especially