Bowel cancer is also called colorectal cancer. It affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum.
Most bowel cancers develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps. However not all polyps do develop into cancer.
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How common is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer.
Nearly 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK.
In Northern Ireland an average of 1,100 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year.
Bowel cancer can affect anyone of any age.
94% are diagnosed in people over the age of 50,
59% are diagnosed in people aged 70 or over.
1 in 15 men and 1 in 18 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime.
How many people survive bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early.
Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage.
More than 16,500 people die from bowel cancer in the UK every year. It is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK. But the number of people dying of bowel cancer has been falling since the 1970s. This may be due to earlier diagnosis and better treatment.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Occasionally, bowel cancer does not have any symptoms and so if you/your family member or friend has been invited for bowel screening then it is very important that you complete this as soon as you can.
However, often there are symptoms that can be linked to bowel cancer which you should consult your General Practitioner (GP) about. The most frequent symptom of bowel cancer can be anaemia either through losing blood in a motion or may be on wiping after a motion. Bowel cancer can also cause a change in bowel habit. For example increased diarrhoea or a feeling of fullness, even after a motion has been passed. Another symptom can be unexplained weight loss or reduced appetite. Frequently people with bowel cancer will notice that they get tired easily, dizziness or breathlessness during activities than they would normal have found manageable. There are other reasons why these symptoms may occur, however it is important to have investigations to check for sure.
If you/ family member or friend experiences some or all of these symptoms then it is important to make an appointment with the GP and explain that you are concerned that you have bowel cancer. Your GP may ask you to have a blood test or a QFIT to investigate your concerns.
These are a few websites you might want to have a look at or refer a family member or friend to for further information:
https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/symptoms/
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/bowel-cancer/symptoms
Colorectal Team in the Belfast Trust
