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.
If you have just been diagnosed with bowel cancer, it can be overwhelming and come as a terrible shock.
You may be given a great deal of information that you have trouble remembering or understanding.
It is likely that you will also experience a huge range of emotions during the period immediately after diagnosis, and you will probably have many questions to ask about your condition and its treatment.
As the news sinks in and you are ready to talk about what’s going to happen, the most important thing to remember is that it’s your body you are discussing.
Don’t be rushed into making decisions and don’t be frightened to ask the doctor or nurse to explain things again if you don’t understand.
You may also wish to request a second opinion.
Your cancer has a whole new language and it is going to be a while before you understand it all. The experts treating you can sometimes forget this – don’t let them!
At Bowel Cancer Australia our aim is to provide information for you to make this process as supportive and informative as possible.
Remember, you are not alone.
The first steps are to understand your diagnosis and what that will mean for you.
Next, we will explain tests and treatments options, and lastly, what services we have available to help you.
Bowel cancer affects men and women, young and old.
1 in 16 Australians will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime.
Around 30% of people who develop bowel cancer have a hereditary contribution, family history or a combination of both. The other 70% don’t have either a family or hereditary combination.
While risk of developing bowel cancer rises sharply and progressively from age 50, the number of Australians under age 50 diagnosed with bowel cancer has been steadily increasing.
Almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully when detected early.
The more information you have about bowel cancer and regular communication with your specialist are vital in helping you make informed decisions about your health care.
Download Bowel Cancer Australia’s list of What I Need to Ask questions.
In order to have been diagnosed with bowel cancer, a biopsy of your tumour has been sent off to pathology and the analysis has revealed it as malignant which means that it is cancerous.
Now, you will have tests to work out if the cancer has spread to any other parts of your body.
This is a routine practice to ensure that you a completely looked after and to assess exactly what type of treatment you require. This process is known as ‘staging’.
Staging the cancer can tell you where it is located, its size, how far it has grown into nearby tissues and if it has spread into nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Every cancer will be staged.
Tests and investigations can include: blood tests, X-Rays, CT scan, MRI, PET scan and/or an ultrasound.
Your specialist team should take the time to tell you what the results of each test are, why you need to have them and any further tests you need done.
If not, ask and make sure you take a pen and pad with you to your appointment so that you can take down all of the information, or alternatively take along a support person with you, so that they can do this for you.
After all of this information is gathered, your team will put a treatment plan together, one that is specifically tailored to you – unique to your own personal circumstances.
It will depend on a number of factors, including the size and location of the cancer and your general health.
All decision making will be done jointly between you and your multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
Your doctors will help you to understand the advantages and disadvantages of what is being proposed so that you can be confident in the decisions taken, and satisfied that your individual needs and wishes have been fully considered.
Your nurse specialist will also make an assessment of your general health and fitness – known as Holistic Needs Assessment – and consider any underlying health problems.
It is also important that they understand what home and family issues need to be considered as well as any practical concerns, as these might also have an impact on your health and treatment choices.
This process will also help you to manage your own care much more effectively so that you will know when and how to ask for help.
There are three main types of treatment for bowel cancer, based on surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy techniques.
Depending on the stage and location of your cancer, you will usually receive one or a combination of these treatments.
You may also receive precision medicine or immunotherapy if your cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Patients sometimes choose to seek a second opinion from another specialist or hospital.
This may be at the suggestion of family members keen to ensure all possible treatment options are being explored.
Or it may be that patients are unhappy regarding their treatment pathway or decisions that have been made by their current team.
We would recommend that you discuss your concerns with your GP or specialist first. It may be that talking things through can address some of your concerns, allowing you to continue on your current pathway uninterrupted.
It is possible to get a second opinion by asking your GP or your current specialists to refer you on.
Asking for a second opinion can feel uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be an issue. Most doctors would prefer that you are confident in your team and the treatment being planned.
A second opinion will require all your scans and reports to be sent over to the other specialist, and your case to be discussed at their multi-disciplinary team meeting.
This will quite often mean a wait of a week or two to allow all of this to happen, which can be quite stressful.
Generally speaking, we wouldn’t recommend delaying treatment in order to have a second opinion.
However, some patients feel that it is worth taking the time to look at other options before starting treatment.
You can search for another specialist on our find a specialist webpage.
Bowel Cancer Australia’s essential support services are uniquely designed for you.
Email, call of video chat confidentially with one of our friendly nurses, nutritionists, or psychosocial support worker, plus access our resources, peer-to-peer buddy program, support group or podcast.