Bowel Cancer Screening

Bowel Cancer Screening in Luton

What is Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer also known as colorectal cancer develops when abnormal cells grow in the large intestine (colon or rectum) and form tumours.

It’s the UK’s fourth most common cancer, with nearly 44,000 new cases each year. This is expected to rise by another 3,000 new cases a year in just over 10 years’ time.

This is not a middle-aged or older persons Cancer!

Although more frequent in people over 50, it can affect anyone, making early detection and awareness crucial. There is however a significant trend among younger adults with one of the steepest occurrences happening in England*. Between the early 1990’s and 2018, the number of adults aged 25-49 being diagnosed with bowel cancer increased by 22% in the UK.**

Lifestyle Factors that have been associated with Bowel Cancer

Sedentary lifestyle (little or no physical activity)

Being overweight and obesity

Smoking

Heavy alcohol use

Low fibre/high fat diets

A diet high in processed meats as bacon, hot dogs, sausages and deli meats).

Common Signs and Symptoms of Bowel Cancer

Recognising symptoms early can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Typical symptoms include the ones below however, these symptoms can be caused by other conditions like IBS or haemorrhoids, You should contact your GP if any persist for more than 2–3 weeks .

Blood in your poo or bleeding from your bottom

A persistent change in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, or aches when going)

Unexplained weight loss

Ongoing tiredness (fatigue) or anaemia

Abdominal pain, bloating, or a palpable lump (a lump that can be felt by touch)

Bowel Cancer Diagnosis and Screening

If symptoms are present, your GP may carry out a rectal examination, request a faecal immunochemical test (FIT), or make an urgent referral for colonoscopy or imaging

The NHS also offers a bowel cancer screening programme, a home-based stool test sent every two years to people aged 60 – 74 (eventually extending from 50)

Screening can detect cancer years before symptoms emerge and reduce mortality by up to 60%.

Bowel Cancer Outcomes

Treatment depends on the cancer’s location, stage, and the patient’s overall health. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.

Early-stage bowel cancer has an excellent prognosis! Survival rates are very high when caught early – though outcomes decline if diagnosis is delayed.

* The Lancet Oncology

** Royal Marsden