If the cancer advances further, it can spread to other organs, such as the liver or lungs. The bowel is part of the lower gastrointestinal tract, which is part of the digestive system.
The digestive system starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. It helps the body break down food and turn it into energy. It also gets rid of the parts of food the body does not use. This is a long tube 4—6 metres that absorbs nutrients from food. It is longer but narrower than the large bowel. It has three parts:. This tube is about 1. It absorbs water and salts, and turns what is left over into solid waste matter known as faeces, stools or poo when it leaves the body.
The large bowel has three parts:. This is the opening at the end of the bowel. During a bowel movement, the anal muscles relax to release faeces.
Anal cancer is treated differently to bowel cancer. The guide to best cancer care for bowel cancer can help you make sense of what should happen. It will help you with what questions to ask your health professionals to make sure you receive the best care at every step.
Read the guide. Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer affecting people in Australia. It is estimated that about 15, people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year. It is most common in people over 50, but it can occur at any age.
About 9 out of 10 bowel cancers are adenocarcinomas, which start in the glandular tissue lining the bowel. Rarely, other less common types of cancer can also affect the bowel. These include lymphomas, squamous cell carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumours and gastrointestinal stromal tumours. Cancer can also start in the small bowel called small bowel cancer or small intestine cancer , but this is rare. Learn more about small bowel cancer. In its early stages, bowel cancer may have no symptoms.
This is why screening is important to increase the chance of an early diagnosis. However, many people with bowel cancer do experience symptoms, which can include:. Not everyone with these symptoms has bowel cancer. Other conditions, such as haemorrhoids, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease or an anal fissure, can also cause these changes.
Changes in bowel function are common and often do not indicate a serious problem. However, any amount of bleeding is not normal, and you should see your doctor for a check-up. The exact cause of bowel cancer is not known. However, research shows that people with certain risk factors are more likely to develop bowel cancer. These include:. Talk to your doctor about whether you should take aspirin, which has been shown to reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer.
Learn more about preventing cancer. Sometimes bowel cancer runs in families. If one or more of your close family members have had bowel cancer, it may increase your risk.
This is especially the case if they were diagnosed before the age of 55, or if there are two or more close relatives on the same side of your family with bowel cancer. A family history of other cancers, such as endometrial uterine cancer, may also increase your risk of developing bowel cancer. Some people have an inherited faulty gene that increases their risk of developing bowel cancer. There are two main genetic conditions that occur in some families:. Your general practitioner GP will organise the first tests to assess your symptoms, or further tests if you have had a positive screening test.
If these tests do not rule out cancer, you will usually be referred to a specialist, such as a colorectal surgeon or a gastroenterologist, who will arrange further tests. If bowel cancer is diagnosed, the specialist will consider treatment options.
Often these will be discussed with other health professionals at what is known as a multidisciplinary team MDT meeting. During and after treatment you will see a range of health professionals, which may include a genetic counsellor, stomal therapy nurse, medical oncologist, dietician and psychologist, who specialise in different aspects of your care.
Call or email our experienced cancer nurses for information and support. Contact a cancer nurse. Cancer Council Victoria would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We would also like to pay respect to the elders past and present and extend that respect to all other Aboriginal people. Rare and less common cancers. Sexuality and intimacy. Life after treatment. Facing end of life. Aboriginal communities. Research ethics and guidelines.
Leave a gift in your Will. Become a corporate supporter. Give in celebration. Shop online. Cancer support referral. Optimal Care Pathways. The Optimal Care Pathways formerly Patient Management Frameworks were developed to provide a consistent statewide approach to care management in each tumour stream.
Clinical practice guides. Resources for dietitians. Culturally diverse communities. Our Melbourne-based retail shop is now permanently closed. To purchase our products, visit www. Resources in other languages. Home Cancer information Types of cancer Bowel cancer. Bowel cancer Contents: Overview Diagnosing bowel cancer Treatment for early bowel cancer Treatment for advanced bowel cancer Having a stoma Managing bowel and dietary changes.
Less common types of bowel cancer About 9 out of 10 bowel cancers are adenocarcinomas, which start in the glandular tissue lining the bowel. Reducing your risk Some things reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer, including: being physically active maintaining a healthy weight cutting out processed meat cutting down on red meat drinking less alcohol not smoking eating wholegrains, dietary fibre and dairy foods.
Bowel cancer overview. Treatment for early bowel cancer. Treatment for advanced bowel cancer. Having a stoma. Managing bowel and dietary changes.
Page last updated: The information on this webpage was adapted from Understanding Bowel Cancer - A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends edition.
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Managing daily life. Common side effects. Breast prostheses and reconstruction. Hair loss. Mouth health. Survival depends on the stage of your bowel colorectal cancer when you are diagnosed. This means how big it is and whether it has spread. All treatments must be fully researched before they can be adopted as standard treatment for everyone. Find out about research into bowel colorectal cancer. Getting practical and emotional support can help you cope with diagnosis, and life during and after treatment.
Advanced bowel colorectal cancer means cancer that has spread outside your bowel to other parts of your body. Treatment includes chemotherapy, surgery, targeted cancer drugs biological therapies and radiotherapy.
Read our information about coronavirus and cancer. About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since Questions about cancer? Call freephone 9 to 5 Monday to Friday or email us. Skip to main content. Bowel cancer Bowel cancer means cancer that starts in the large bowel colon and the back passage rectum.
Find out about anal cancer Find out about small bowel cancer. Are there clinical guidelines for this type of cancer? Treatment What treatment do you recommend? What is the aim of the treatment? Are there other treatment choices for me? If not, why not? Will I need a stoma? If so, will it be temporary or permanent? Will you refer me to a stomal therapy nurse? Can you recommend anyone? How long will treatment take? Will I have to stay in hospital? Are there any out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Medicare or my private health cover?
How will we know if the treatment is working? Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could join? Side effects What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
Will I have a lot of pain? What will be done about this? Can I work, drive and do my normal activities while having treatment? Will the treatment affect my sex life and fertility?
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