What is Bowel Cancer?

The intestine is made up of the large bowel and the small bowel. Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a cancer that affects the large bowel which includes the colon and rectum.

As with any cancer, bowel cancer involves the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells. While its exact cause is not known, a number of factors can increase an individual’s risk:

• Age – nearly 90% of bowel cancer sufferers are aged 60 or over
• Diet – a diet that is high in red or processed meats and low in fibre
• Weight – those who are overweight or obese are more at risk
• Exercise – inactivity increases the risk of bowel cancer
• Family history - those with a close family member who has contracted bowel cancer under the age of 50  are seen as high risk
• Alcohol – drinking can increase the chances of contracting bowel cancer
• Smoking – smoking may increase the risk of bowel cancer

Symptoms of Bowel Cancer

While a number of symptoms can indicate the presence of bowel cancer, there are a few that are “high risk” symptoms:

• Blood in the faeces.
• A sustained change in bowel habit.
• Constant lower abdominal (tummy) pain, bloating or discomfort.

Surgery is the most common form of treatment for bowel cancer. The type of surgical procedure and how intrusive it is is dependent on where in the large bowel the cancer is and the stage it is at.

Bowel cancer screening

The majority of bowel cancers begin as non cancerous growths on the wall of the bowel (polyps). Identification and removal of these prevents future cancers. There are a number of screening tests available (stool tests, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, CT colonography) to help identify these.

There is a national bowel cancer screening programme available to all between the ages of 56-75. Bespoke bowel cancer screening is available and following consultation with one of our bowel cancer screening experts advice will be given as to the best screening test.