Experiences with
Bowel cancer

SymptomsDiagnosisMedical treatmentsCauses

Symptoms of bowel cancer include changes in your poo, blood in your poo, bleeding from your bottom, tummy pain, and losing weight.

The main test for bowel cancer is a colonoscopy. This is where a thin tube with a camera is used to look inside your bowel.

Treatment for bowel cancer may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted medicines and immunotherapy.

It's not always known why bowel cancer happens, but it can be caused by genetic changes, your lifestyle and certain health conditions.

Main symptoms of bowel cancer

Symptoms of bowel cancer may include:

changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
blood in your poo, which may look red or black
bleeding from your bottom
often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet
tummy pain
a lump in your tummy
bloating
losing weight without trying
feeling very tired for no reason

Bowel cancer can cause anaemia (when you have fewer red blood cells than usual), which can make you feel very tired, short of breath and have headaches.

you have any symptoms of bowel cancer for 3 weeks or more

Try not to be embarrassed. The doctor or nurse will be used to talking about these symptoms.

your poo is black or dark red
you have bloody diarrhoea

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

you're bleeding non-stop from your bottom
there's a lot of blood, for example, the toilet water turns red or you see large blood clots

Find your nearest A&E

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring any medicines you take with you.

Who is more likely to get bowel cancer

It's not always known what causes bowel cancer, but it can be caused by genetic changes, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

Having certain health conditions can also make you more likely to get bowel cancer.

You may be more likely to get bowel cancer if:

you're over 50
you smoke
you're overweight
a close relative has had bowel cancer
you have inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
you have small growths in your bowel called bowel polyps
you have Lynch Syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis

How to lower your risk of bowel cancer

You cannot always prevent bowel cancer, but there are things you can do to lower your chance of getting it.

eat a healthy diet including at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day
stay active and exercise regularly
lose weight if you're overweight
quit smoking
drink less alcohol
eat less red and processed meat

Main tests for bowel cancer

If a GP refers you to a specialist because they think you could have bowel cancer, you'll have tests to check for cancer.

The main test for bowel cancer is a colonoscopy. This is where a thin, flexible, tube with a camera is used to look inside your bowel.

It may be uncomfortable but it should not be painful. You'll be offered a sedative and painkillers to help make you feel more comfortable.

During the colonoscopy, a small sample of the lining of your bowel may be taken for testing (called a biopsy)

Main treatments for bowel cancer

The treatment you'll have for bowel cancer depends on:

the size of the cancer
if the cancer is in your colon or rectum, or both
if it has spread to other parts of your body
if the cancer has certain genetic changes
your age and general health

You may be offered a combination of treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted medicines.

Your specialist treatment team will:

explain the treatments, the benefits and side effects
work with you to make a treatment plan that's best for you
help you to manage the side effects of treatment

If you have any questions or worries, you can talk to your specialist team.

Where to find help and support

If you have bowel cancer, your specialist treatment team will be there to support you throughout your treatment. They will also be able to give you information about local support services you may find helpful.

There are also national cancer charities that can offer support and information about bowel cancer.