Intro

Bowel cancer — also called colorectal cancer — develops in the colon or rectum. It often begins as a small growth called a polyp, which may become cancerous over time.

When detected early, bowel cancer is highly treatable.

Key Points

Most bowel cancers develop slowly from polyps.
Early stages may cause no symptoms.
Screening significantly reduces risk.
Treatment depends on stage.
Lifestyle and family history influence risk.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

Rectal bleeding
Persistent change in bowel habit
Unexplained weight loss
Iron deficiency anemia
Ongoing abdominal pain

Symptoms do not always mean cancer — but they should be assessed.

Risk Factors

Age over 45–50
Family history
Inflammatory bowel disease
Diet low in fiber, high in processed meat
Smoking and obesity

Diagnosis

Diagnosis may involve:

FIT testing
Colonoscopy
Biopsy
Imaging (CT scans)

Treatment

Treatment depends on stage and may include:

Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Targeted therapy

Prevention

Regular screening
Healthy diet
Physical activity
Avoiding smoking

Learn more: → Bowel Cancer Screening Explained