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Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the third most common cancer in the UK; around 37,000 people are diagnosed with this condition each year. It usually occurs in those over the age of 60. However, as it takes many years to develop it can be prevented if small pre-cancerous growths are detected and removed at an earlier age. If bowel cancer is detected early then the chance of cure can be up to 90%.
Symptoms include:
Rectal bleeding
Change in bowel habit
Anaemia
Pain or a lump in the abdomen
Faecal incontinence
Weight/appetite loss
Causes
The cause of the disease is not fully known but the risk increases as you get older, if you have a family history of the disease, a long-term inflammatory bowel condition, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. A diet low in fibre, fruit and vegetables and high in processed meats, and obesity, can all contribute to the development of bowel cancer.
Diagnosis This can be made with either a camera or CT scan. Colonoscopy (using a narrow, flexible, telescopic camera) not only detects bowel but can remove pre-cancerous growths so reducing the development of bowel cancer later in life.
A more limited examination is a flexible sigmoidoscopy to look inside the rectum and the lower part of the bowel.
CT Scanning has also been developed as a 'virtual colonoscopy'. However this test does not remove any of the growths and hence a colonoscopy may be required afterwards. If cancer is diagnosed then CT and MRI scanning is needed to confirm the extent of tumour and plan further management
Treatment Treatment will depend on the size of the tumour and whether or not it has spread. The most effective treatment is prevention through screening.
If a cancer has developed then part of the bowel may be removed by surgery. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy may also be used to treat the disease, especially if it has spread.
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