Symptoms & Questions

What is Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer - also known as colorectal cancer or colon cancer - is any cancer that affects the colon (large bowel) and rectum (back passage).

Most bowel cancers start as benign innocent growths - called polyps - on the wall of the bowel. Polyps are like small spots or cherries on stalks and most do not produce symptoms. Polyps are common as we get older and most polyps are not pre-cancerous.

One type of polyp called an adenoma can become cancerous (malignant). If left undetected the cancer cells will multiply to form a tumour in the bowel.

If untreated, the tumour can grow into the wall of the bowel or back passage. Once cancer cells are in the wall, they can travel into the bloodstream or lymph nodes; from here the cancer cells can travel to other parts of the body. For bowel cancer, the most common places for bowel cancer cells to spread to are the liver and the lungs. The process of spread is called metastasis.

The earlier bowel cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat. 75% of bowel cancer is curable if caught early. This why it is so important to know the symptoms and causes of bowel cancer.

Act quickly if you develop symptoms of bowel cancer.

Symptoms

The first step you can take to protect against bowel cancer is to be aware of the symptoms. And most importantly, see your GP if you are at all concerned.

• Bleeding from the bottom (rectal bleeding) without any obvious reason. Or if you have other symptoms such as straining, soreness, lumps and itchiness.
• A persistent change in bowel habit going to the toilet more often or experiencing looser stools for several weeks.
• Abdominal pain especially if severe.


• Any lumps or mass in your tummy.


• Weight loss and tiredness (a symptom of anaemia).

If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms of bowel cancer, make an appointment to see your GP. Remember, GPs are used to people talking about bottoms and other intimate subjects - whatever you have to say, they will have heard it before.