Bowel cancer

Some inherited diseases have been known to cause or lead to the development of bowel cancer and some genetic mutations can also play a role in its progression. With bowel cancer being the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK, being aware of and spotting the symptoms early ensures you have the best possible care and treatment before it spreads too far. The majority of bowel cancers occur in the large intestine, but they can also occur in the rectum. In some very rare cases, cancer can occur in the anus.

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer in women. It can also be caused by increasing age or as a result of previous conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. If you have a history of bowel cancer in the family, then it may be advisable to have a genetic screening test to see if you are at risk from developing inherited bowel cancer. This is particularly important if you have a close relative diagnosed before the age of 45 or two other relatives with the condition.

Eight out of 10 cases of bowel cancer occur in individuals over the age of 50, though it can occur in practically any age bracket. Bowel Cancer UK states that bowel cancer is common and in most cases, is not passed down through the family. Although, around 5-10% of all bowel cancer cases are thought to be caused by a change in a known gene which can be passed down through a family. If you have the changed gene, you may have a higher chance of getting bowel cancer at some point in your life.

You are also more at risk if you’ve had abnormal growths of tissue called polyps develop in the colon or bowel. These often do not turn out to be cancerous, but if they are not treated or removed there is a chance that they could become cancerous.

A condition known as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), accounts for about one per cent of all cancers of the colon and rectum and can cause widespread development of these polyps during the teenage years. Many of these can soon become cancerous.

Hopefully, your doctor will have removed and destroyed all cancer cells within you, leading you to be bowell cancer free. However, sometimes microscopic cancer cells may have spread to other parts of your body or have been missed at the original site. People who have survived bowel cancer are at a higher risk of it returning or developing a seperate new bowell cancer due to remaining risk factors they might have. Bowell Cancer UK says that unfortunately, there is no known way to definitively prevent bowel cancer from returning. There is some research that a healthy diet, regular exercise and a healthy weight can reduce your risk of cancer, but this has not been proven. You can keep on top of your health with regular follow-up appointments and check-ups, or your Helping Hands carer can arrange this for you.