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How common is bowel cancer?Bowel cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the UK for men and the second most common for women. In men, only lung cancer and prostate cancer are more common than colon and rectal cancer. In women, only breast cancer is more common. More than 35,000 people are diagnosed with it each year in the UK. Your GP will probably see one new person with the disease a year. Colon cancer usually affects people over the age of 40, with the majority of people who are diagnosed with the condition being over 60 years of age. How important is screening for bowel cancer?Screening for bowel cancer is very important because the sooner the disease is detected, the earlier treatment can begin. If found early enough, bowel cancer can be cured. The symptoms of colon cancer include a change in bowel movements, with the presence of blood in the stools (faeces). Blood in the stools can be hidden but there are tests available to detect hidden blood in the stools. It is important to note that the presence of blood in the stool is not necessarily a diagnosis of bowel cancer. It may indicate the presence of polyps or even just haemorrhoids, also known as piles. The condition can also be diagnosed by a physical examination of the rectum. Blood and tissue samples may be taken for further testing. The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is offered routinely every two years to all men and women aged between 60-69 years of age. Treatments for colon cancer may include surgery, and a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Eating a high fibre diet can reduce the risk of colon cancer because it will encourage regular bowel movements. What are the risk factors?
Although colorectal cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are certain risk factors which increase the chance that colorectal cancer will develop. These include: - Ageing. Colorectal cancer is more common in older people. Most cases are in people over the age of 50.
- If a close relative has had colorectal cancer (there is some genetic factor).
- If you have familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer. These are rare inherited disorders.
- If you have ulcerative colitis (a condition of the colon) for more than 8-10 years.
- Obesity.
- Lifestyle factors: little exercise, eating a lot of red meat, drinking a lot of alcohol, smoking.
Are their any protective factors that can help to reduce the risk?
There is a reduced risk of developing colorectal cancer in: - Women who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- People who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables.
- People who take anti-inflammatory medicines for other conditions, for example, aspirin.
If you would like more information on home tests that can detect hidden blood in the stool please click here.
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