Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can affect any part of the colon or rectum; it may also be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer is located.
Bowel cancer screening is for people who do not already have bowel cancer, symptoms of bowel cancer, or any reason to have a high risk of bowel cancer.
Patient-centred care is healthcare that is respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs and values of patients and consumers.
Bowel Cancer Australia provides essential support services uniquely designed for bowel cancer patients via our confidential Helpline with specialist telehealth support, as well as a national Peer-to-Peer Support Network and Buddy Program.
Bowel Cancer Australia funds research that has the potential to improve survival and/or help build a path toward a cure and integrates published research into our awareness, advocacy, and support strategies.
Bowel Cancer Australia relies upon donations and the support of hard working and enthusiastic fundraisers across the country to continue our life saving work. We raise funds to continue our life-saving work and inspire others to do the same, so everyone affected by bowel cancer can live their best life.
Anything that increases your chance of developing bowel cancer is called a cancer risk factor. Some risk factors can be avoided, but many cannot.
Age, family history, hereditary conditions and personal health history can all influence your bowel cancer risk. These factors cannot be changed and are therefore referred to as ‘non-modifiable’.
Around 30% of all bowel cancer cases diagnosed are due to a hereditary contribution, family history, or a combination of both. The other 70% of people have no family history of the disease and no hereditary contribution.
Non-modifiable bowel cancer risk factors, for both men and women include:
There is emerging evidence regarding type 2 diabetes (usually non-insulin dependent) as a potential risk factor for bowel cancer.
Having one or more risk factors does not always mean that you will get bowel cancer, and some people who are diagnosed with bowel cancer may not have any known risk factors.
The risk of bowel cancer increases with age.
As people age, they are more likely to grow polyps, some of which may undergo gene changes that turn normal tissue into cancer.
This is why age is considered a non-modifiable bowel cancer risk factor.
About 70% of people who develop bowel cancer have no family history of the disease.
Genetic mutations have been identified as the cause of inherited cancer risk in some bowel cancer–prone families; these mutations are estimated to account for only 5% to 10% of bowel cancer cases overall.
The three most common inherited syndromes linked with bowel cancers are:
Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (also known as colitis) are known as inflammatory bowel disease.
Both these conditions can cause inflammation of the bowel (colon and rectum), with similar symptoms and treatments.
A Bowel Cancer Australia resource outlining non-modifiable risk factors for bowel cancer, including a family medical history chart.