What you need to know about Bowel Cancer ?

Bowel cancer is the 4th most common cancer (15,367 cases) diagnosed in Australia.

However most seriously it is the 2nd leading cause of deaths (5,350 deaths) (Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare).

Bowel cancer is also known as colorectal cancer, colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where it starts.

The cancer grows from the inner lining of the bowel and usually develops from small growths called polyps which can become invasive. If untreated, bowel cancer can grow into the deeper layers of the bowel wall and spread to the lymph nodes.

Most Common Symptoms:

• National Bowel Cancer screening / FOBT- tests for microscopic blood in your blood
• PR Bleeding – blood in your stools
• Change in bowel habits - Constipation or Diarrhoea (lasting longer than two weeks)
• Family history of colorectal cancer/IBD – increased risk of 30%

Other important Symptoms

• Severe Abdominal Pain - accompanied by changes in bowel habits
• Abdominal or rectal swelling
• Iron deficiency / anaemia
• Weight loss

The most common screening recommended for persons 45 or older is The National Bowel Cancer screening which offers free immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) kits. This tests for microscopic traces of blood in your stools. If detected, you are recommended to have an urgent colonoscopy. If eligible, request for kit here.

Other symptoms will be evaluated by your GP and if necessary, a colonoscopy will be recommended. Read more about a Colonoscopy here.