What is bowel cancer and why do we need more research?

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the world's third most common cancer. In 2020, an estimated 1.9 million people worldwide were diagnosed with the disease. Bowel cancer is also the world's second biggest cancer killer, with an estimated 935,000 people dying from the disease worldwide in 2020. But with your help we are funding exciting discovery research into bowel cancer that we hope will lead the way to future cures.

What is bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer is a type of cancer that begins when cells in the large bowel start multiplying and growing in an abnormal and uncontrolled way. It usually starts in a polyp, which is a clump of cells on the inner lining of the bowel. Polyps are very common, especially in older people, and only very few develop into bowel cancer.

However, bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK and worldwide - it is responsible for nearly 10% of all cancer deaths globally. Treatment varies from patient to patient. It may depend on which part of the bowel is affected, as well as the stage of the cancer, but surgery remains the main treatment for many patients, often combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

If the cancer is found early enough, bowel cancer can be stopped from coming back, but advanced cancer can spread – especially to the liver – and become resistant to treatment. Currently 57% of patients survive 10 years or longer after their diagnosis. It is vital that we continue funding more research so that we can find new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat bowel cancer.

What causes bowel cancer?

Experts think that roughly half of bowel cancer cases are preventable. While there is never any guarantee, there are some known risk factors that have been linked to the development of bowel cancer:

Age

Age is a big risk factor for bowel cancer. 9 in 10 people that develop bowel cancer are over the age of 60.

Family history

A person might be more likely to develop bowel cancer when they have close family members that were diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Diet

Low intake of fibre plays a major role in the development of bowel cancer. A diet high in red and processed meat can also significantly increase the risk of bowel cancer in a person. That’s why the NHS recommends that all people currently eating more than 90g of red and processed meat (cooked weight) cut down to 70g or less. For more advice on how to eat a healthy and balanced diet, check out the NHS’s advice on living well.

Alcohol, smoking, inactivity, and obesity

Drinking alcohol, smoking, inactivity and excess weight have all been linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer. These lifestyle habits are also implicated in the development of many other cancers. To find out more about these risk factors for cancer, check out the NHS site.

Digestive and genetic conditions

Some digestive disorders, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis have been linked to the development of bowel cancer. There are also rare genetic conditions, such as Lynch syndrome, that can lead to an increased risk of developing the disease. People with these conditions are usually monitored more closely for the development of bowel cancer.

What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?

Symptoms can be subtle, but if you experience one or more of the symptoms listed below for more than four weeks, have it checked out by your GP. Having these symptoms does not mean a person has bowel cancer, but it is important not to wait until the next screening test if they are persistent.

Persistent change in bowel habits (e.g, going more often, looser and runnier stool).
Abdominal pain, discomfort or bloating after eating.
Blood in the stool.
In cases where the bowel might be obstructed, symptoms can include severe abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, swelling of the abdomen and being sick.

How is bowel cancer diagnosed?

Bowel cancer can be diagnosed only by visiting a health professional. The NHS offers home screening tests and while these home screening test cannot diagnose bowel cancer; they can detect small amounts of blood - a potential sign for bowel cancer - in a stool sample:

These kits are offered to people aged 60 – 74 every 2 years in most parts of the UK.
Scotland is the only exception, where those aged 50+ will receive a home testing kit every two years.
These are incredibly important tests to participate in as they can identify people who might benefit from more testing.

How can we find new cures for bowel cancer?

With the support of our Curestarters, visionary scientists around the world are currently working hard to find new ways to prevent bowel cancer, better methods for earlier diagnosis, and kinder, more effective treatments: