 
Bowel (or colon) cancer
is the popular term used to refer to colo-rectal
cancer. Most of these cancers occur in
the colon which forms part of the intestines
and about one third of such cancers occur
in the rectum where the large intestine
joins the anus.
It is malignant tumours which are cancerous. Benign tumours (known as polyps)
do not cause a problem and are easily removed when a colonoscopy is performed.
Who is at risk
of colon cancer?
There are around 35,000 new cases of bowel
cancer diagnosed in the UK every year,
eight out of ten occurring in the over
60s. Certain factors are believed to raise
or lower incidence levels.
Higher risk factors
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Lower risk factors
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- Obesity
- High alcohol intake
- Red meat
- Processed meat
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- Aspirin like painkillers
- HRT
- Low fat and high fibre diet
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What are the symptoms
of bowel cancer?
There are a number of worrying symptoms
which may indicate bowel cancer however,
these may be indicative of other conditions
as well. It cannot be emphasised enough
that the only way for a correct diagnosis
to be made is for a surgeon to carry out
an investigation. That said the following
would be cause for someone to seek advise:
- a change in bowel habit (eg more frequent
visits to the toilet)
- bleeding
- chronic tiredness
- abdominal pain
- unaccountable weight loss
Early on there may be no symptoms and
checking for blood in the stool (FOB testing)
may be a useful screening test. Once a
cancer is identified assessment by CT scanning
is usually required primarily to define
if the disease has spread or not and to
help tailor treatment accordingly.
How can it be treated?
Surgery is the usual method of treatment.
The part of the affected bowel together
with adjacent lymph nodes are surgically
removed. This can very often be achieved
by laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery which
can dramatically speed recovery and discharge
from hospital.
Occasionally the bowel may need to be
brought on to the abdominal wall and faeces
collect into a plastic bag (colostomy or
ileostomy). This is often a temporary measure
but it may be permanent if the tumour is
in the lower rectum. Specially trained
stoma nurses are there to help and support
patients. After the operation radiotherapy
or chemotherapy may be used to kill off
any remaining cancer cells.
How effective is
the treatment?
If diagnosed early before the cancer has
spread from the bowel these treatments
are very effective and as high as 90% of
patients are still alive 5 years after
treatment.
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