Bowel Cancer

What is bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer (colorectal cancer) is one of the most frequently occurring cancer in Australia affecting 1 in 20 people. It is preventable and if diagnosed can be treated with a good survival outcome.

The onset of bowel cancer tends to occur from the age of 50. The risks of developing bowel cancer are higher when there is a family history, in particular when multiple relatives are affected or if cancer had occurred at a young age.

What are the symptoms of bowel cancer / colorectal cancer?

Symptoms of colorectal cancer include a change in bowel habits with constipation, passing mucus like stool or rectal bleeding. Other late symptoms include abdominal pain, lethargy (due to symptoms of anaemia / low Haemoglobin count), weight loss or abdominal swelling.

How does bowel cancer grow?

Bowel cancer begins as a polyp formation in the colon and rectum. The growth of the polyp has been estimated to take approximately 5 years before it develops features of cancer. The precancerous growth of a polyp is easily removed, hence making bowel cancer easily preventable. It is encouraged that individuals with symptoms or a history of bowel cancer within the family undergo a colonoscopy early.

How do you treat bowel cancer?

Cancers of the colon and rectum require surgical resection. This can be performed by keyhole laparoscopic surgery or by open surgery on a case-by-case basis. Surgery for bowel cancer can cure over 90% of patients with early cancers and over 40% of patients with advanced cancers.

A/Prof Terence Chua offers direct access colonoscopy to improve overall waiting times for colonoscopy by removing the requirement of a clinic consultation. Surgical resection of colon cancer may be performed by keyhole laparoscopic colectomy or open laparotomy.