Bowel Cancer

Facts and Statistics about Bowel Cancer

• Bowel cancer affects men and women, young and old
• 1 in 13 Australians will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime
• Bowel cancer is Australia's second deadliest cancer
• 70% of people with newly diagnosed bowel cancer have no family history of the disease
• The risks of bowel cancer rise sharply from age 50
• 98% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated when detected early

Risk factors for bowel cancer

Exact cause is unknown. The following factors increase someones risk of colorectal cancer:

• Age: More than 90% of people are diagnosed with bowel cancer after the age of 50
• Family history of bowel cancer
• Personal history of Inflammatory bowel disease
• Colorectal polyps
• Personal history of breast, ovarian or uterine cancer 

Symptoms of bowel cancer

• Change on bowel habit (i.e constipation or diarrhea)
• Bright red or very dark blood in stool
• Ongoing pelvic or lower abdominal pain (Gas, bloating)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling tired all the time

Diagnosis

• Medical history and examination
• Blood test
• Colonoscopy: examination of the entire colon with a long, narrow flexible tube with a camera at the end
• Biospy: removal of cells so that this can be checked under the microscope for signs of cancer
• Other imaging for further staging may include: CT scan, ultrasound, MRI

Treatment

Staging is based on whether the cancer has invaded nearby tissues or lymph nodes and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The exact stage is often not determined until after surgery.

Medical treatment

Chemotherapy may be given either before of after surgery depending on the stage of the cancer.

For rectal cancer, radiation therapy may be used as well.

Surgery

Surgery is required to remove the cancer. The cancer and lymph nodes together with a small portion of normal bowel on either side of the cancer are removed.

The normal bowel is then reconnected to allow normal bowel function.

Traditional open bowel surgery

Surgeons traditionally make a 10-15 cm cut on the tummy to gain access to the bowel and remove the cancer.

Discomfort associated with these incisions can prolong time in hospital and recovery time to get back to normal activities.

Laparoscopic (Keyhole) surgery

A laparoscopic trained surgeon makes several small cuts, about 1 cm in size. Using a specialised camera attached to a telescope, he can see inside the abdomen and use other instruments to perform the surgery.

The benefits include less pain due to smaller cuts, a shorter hospital stay, early return to normal activities and less scarring.

Robotic Surgery for Bowel cancer

This is a newer type of surgery for bowel cancer. The robotic trained surgeon manipulates a robot that moves the surgical instruments.

Benefits of Robotic surgery

• Fewer scars
• Less pain after surgery
• Quicker return to normal activities
• Shorter hospital stay
• Fewer requirements for pain medications

How to prevent bowel cancer?

It is important to know the symptoms of bowel cancer and have them investigated if they persist for more than two weeks.

Detection and removal of polyps through colonoscopy reduces the risks of bowel cancer.

Screening typically starts at the age of 50 in someone with average risk. Those with higher risks are advised to receive their first screening at a younger age.