What is Bowel Cancer?

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer or colon cancer, starts in the colon or rectum, which are part of the digestive system. The cancer usually develops slowly over several years, starting as a non-cancerous growth called a polyp, which can develop into cancer.

Bowel cancer is Australia’s second deadliest cancer but is one of the more treatable cancers. Almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be treated if detected early.

Australia has one of the highest cases of bowel cancer in the world; 1 in 15 Australians will develop the disease in their lifetime. Bowel cancer affects men and women, young and old, but your risk of developing bowel cancer rises sharply and progressively from 50 years old.

Symptoms of Bowel Cancer

During the early stages of bowel cancer, people may have no symptoms, which is why screening is so important. Any of the below symptoms could indicate colon or rectal cancer and should be investigated by your GP if they persist for more than two weeks.

• Blood in your poo or rectal bleeding
• A recent, persistent change in bowel habit (e.g. diarrhoea, constipation or the feeling or incomplete emptying)
• A change in the shape or appearance of your poo (e.g. narrower poos or mucus in poo)
• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Pain or a lump in the anus or rectum
• Unexplained anaemia causing tiredness, weakness or weight loss

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Having one or more risk factors does not always mean that you will get bowel cancer, and some people diagnosed with bowel cancer may not have any known risk factors. The best way to reduce your risk is to make positive diet and lifestyle choices and work with your GP to control non-modifiable risk factors.

Screening

Screening is another way to reduce your risk of bowel cancer and is crucial for early detection. Screening is recommended every 2 years for people aged 50-74 years, at average or near average risk* of bowel cancer. GPs can also offer screening every 2 years to people aged 45-49 years who request it after being fully informed of the (benefits and possible harms) of testing.

Screening can be done with an at home test, also known as a faecal immunochemical test (FIT). The test involves collecting small samples of toilet water or poo, placing them on a card or in a container, and mailing them to a pathology laboratory for analysis. The results are then sent back to the individual and their GP.

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* People with (i) no first- or second-degree relative with bowel cancer; or (ii) one first-degree relative with bowel cancer diagnosed at 55 years or older; or (iii) one first-degree and one second-degree relative diagnosed with bowel cancer at 55 years or older.