Question 1

What’s the difference between bowel, colon, rectal and colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

The colon and rectum form part of the large bowel. Variations of the name can be used depending on where within the bowel the cancer starts. In research, scientists sometimes look at colorectal cancer as a whole, then separately analyse colon and rectal cancer. For the public, bowel is a more common term.

Question 2

Where can bowel cancer spread?

Accepted Answer

If bowel cancer is not diagnosed and treated in time, cancer cells can spread from the original tumour site in the bowel to other organs and tissues, where other tumours can then develop. Cancer cells can spread via the blood or lymphatic system.

Question 3

How long can you live with bowel cancer?

Accepted Answer

If the cancer is identified and diagnosed early, you may have a better chance of surviving the disease and living a long life. However, life expectancy can depend on which bowel cancer stage you’re at.

Question 4

Is bowel cancer curable?

Accepted Answer

If bowel cancer is caught early enough, it can be treated and destroyed via treatment such as surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. However, there is always the possibility of bowel cancer recurring.

Question 5

When is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month?

Accepted Answer

In the UK, Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is in April.

Question 6

Signs and symptoms of bowel cancer

Accepted Answer

To prevent bowel cancer from progressing, it’s good to know what to look out for and to recognise the early signs of bowel cancer. Learn about some of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.

> Symptoms of bowel cancer

Question 7

Risks and causes of bowel cancer

Accepted Answer

Evidence for what causes bowel cancer comes from large population studies (called epidemiology) and biological studies (where scientists look at cells in a laboratory).

You can find out more on our bowel cancer causes and risk factors page.

Question 8

Recurrence and survival for bowel cancer

Accepted Answer

Our Living with cancer section can help if you are living with bowel cancer.

Many people successfully survive bowel cancer. Unfortunately, survival does not mean cancer-free for the rest of your life. Recurrence of the disease is possible. Find out more about bowel cancer recurrence and what you can do to reduce that possibility.

> Bowel cancer recurrence

Question 9

Smoking

Accepted Answer

Smoking 40 cigarettes (2 packs) per day increases risk of colorectal cancer by about 40% and nearly doubles the risk of colorectal cancer death.

Question 10

Other diseases

Accepted Answer

Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) increases the risk of colon cancer.

Question 11

Medication

Accepted Answer

Long-term use (5 years or more) of at least 75 mg per day of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug aspirin can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Hormone therapy in post-menopausal women decreases colorectal cancer risk.

> HRT and cancer

Bowel cancer

About bowel cancer

Bowel cancer signs, symptoms and screening

Bowel cancer causes

Preventing bowel cancer

Living with and beyond bowel cancer

Bowel cancer statistics

Bowel cancer

About bowel cancer

Bowel cancer signs, symptoms and screening

Bowel cancer causes

Preventing bowel cancer

Living with and beyond bowel cancer

Bowel cancer statistics

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