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.
High quality colonoscopy is critical to the early detection and treatment of bowel cancer.
Removal of polyps and adenomas may prevent bowel cancer developing, while early diagnosis of bowel cancer can improve treatment outcomes and survival.
Colonoscopy can also identify those who require regular colonoscopy surveillance due to having an increased risk of bowel cancer.
The quality of colonoscopy is therefore important for minimising the risk of complications from the procedure.
Complications associated with colonoscopy include:
The risk of serious complications is approximately 4 perforations and 8 major bleeding events per 10,000 screening colonoscopies with an estimated mortality rate of 0.007%.
Risk increases with age, with the number of colonoscopies and when polyps are removed.
While the risk of complication is relatively small, a large number of people undergo colonoscopy, many of whom are not diagnosed with any disease.
Once you’ve been referred by your GP for a colonoscopy, find out who will be performing the procedure.
Make sure your colonoscopy will be done by an experienced colonoscopist who is interested in constant improvement in the quality of colonoscopy that he or she provides.
Below is a list of questions to ask your colonoscopist to help ensure a high-quality colonoscopy.
This percentage is referred to as a Colonoscopist’s Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR) and is considered the measurement that best reflects how carefully colonoscopy is performed.
This percentage is referred to as a Colonoscopist’s caecal intubation rate and is considered an important indicator of colonoscopy quality.
This will illustrate if the full extent of the bowel was examined.
Effective bowel preparation requires that at least half the preparation is ingested on the day of colonoscopy.
Every person’s feedback about their colonoscopy experience is unique and valuable. Help us ensure the patient voice is heard, so that future colonoscopy care reflects what patients want and need.