Bowel Cancer (or Colorectal Cancer)
What Is it?
Bowel cancer is a serious disease but, if diagnosed early, is often curable. If you have any symptoms - See Your Doctor Early!
What Are the Symptoms of Bowel Cancer?
In the early stages, bowel cancer often has no symptoms. This means that a person could have polyps or bowel cancer and not know it. That is why it is so important to have regular checks (screening).
· Screening can find polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent bowel cancer developing.
· Regular health checks and screening for bowel cancer every two years from the age of 50 is recommended. Or sometimes earlier if you have a history of bowel cancer or worrying symptoms.
The most common symptoms of bowel cancer are:
• blood or mucus in the faeces
• an unexpected change in bowel habit (for example, diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason)
• general discomfort in the abdomen (feelings of bloating, fullness, pain, cramps)
• constant tiredness
• weakness and paleness.
Having these symptoms does not mean that you definately have bowel cancer. People experiencing these symptoms should be seen by their GP and get a referral to a colorectal surgeon for review. You will likely need to have a colonoscopy.
What Is The Treatment For Bowel Cancer?
Surgery is the main treatment for bowel cancer.
The section of bowel affected by cancer is removed and the two ends joined together again.
Everyone’s operation is different. I will explain each patients operation in detail to them prior to any surgery.
Occasionally patients require a stoma (a bag) – these are usually temporary to allow the bowel to heal. Understandably, many people find this difficult to deal with. I do my very best to avoid stomas if possible. Before your surgery, you will be given a lot of education and support about having a stoma if you require one.
Chemotherapy or radiotherapy is often used in addition to surgery.
If you are worried or would like to ask any questions please feel free to call the rooms and speak to our practice nurses Phone - 9456 9077 or you can contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 and speak with a cancer nurse.
Bowel cancer is a serious disease but, if diagnosed early, is often curable. If you have any symptoms - See Your Doctor Early!
What Are the Symptoms of Bowel Cancer?
In the early stages, bowel cancer often has no symptoms. This means that a person could have polyps or bowel cancer and not know it. That is why it is so important to have regular checks (screening).
· Screening can find polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent bowel cancer developing.
· Regular health checks and screening for bowel cancer every two years from the age of 50 is recommended. Or sometimes earlier if you have a history of bowel cancer or worrying symptoms.
The most common symptoms of bowel cancer are:
• blood or mucus in the faeces
• an unexpected change in bowel habit (for example, diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason)
• general discomfort in the abdomen (feelings of bloating, fullness, pain, cramps)
• constant tiredness
• weakness and paleness.
Having these symptoms does not mean that you definately have bowel cancer. People experiencing these symptoms should be seen by their GP and get a referral to a colorectal surgeon for review. You will likely need to have a colonoscopy.
What Is The Treatment For Bowel Cancer?
Surgery is the main treatment for bowel cancer.
The section of bowel affected by cancer is removed and the two ends joined together again.
Everyone’s operation is different. I will explain each patients operation in detail to them prior to any surgery.
Occasionally patients require a stoma (a bag) – these are usually temporary to allow the bowel to heal. Understandably, many people find this difficult to deal with. I do my very best to avoid stomas if possible. Before your surgery, you will be given a lot of education and support about having a stoma if you require one.
Chemotherapy or radiotherapy is often used in addition to surgery.
If you are worried or would like to ask any questions please feel free to call the rooms and speak to our practice nurses Phone - 9456 9077 or you can contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 and speak with a cancer nurse.