What Is Bowel Cancer?

Bowel cancer is caused by abnormal cell growth in certain areas of the bowel (tumour). It is more common in older individuals. According to statistics, bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK. Bowel cancer is the second largest cancer killer after lung cancer, but the disease is more easily treated if discovered early.

You cannot get bowel cancer from others, and you cannot pass it on to others, as the disease is not infectious. The exact cause of bowel cancer is unknown, although genetics may play a part, either through specific genetic mutations or inherited diseases that are known to predispose someone to this form of cancer.

Tiny pre-cancerous growths, which can be found by colonoscopy, can be discarded in many cases. In these cases, this would mean that bowel cancer would be prevented from starting. When bowel cancer is discover in its early stages, aprrox. nine out of ten patients will survive the disease. There isn't a cancer around that doctors and medical professionals fully understant. However, bowel cancer is more understood than any other form of cancer.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer, also known as large bowel cancer, is the term given to describe malignant tumors discovered in and around the colon and rectum parts. Colorectal cancer is more common in older individuals. Colorectal Bowel cancer is the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer and the 2nd most common cause of cancer death. Many cases of this for of bowel cancer develop in individuals over the age of 40, while most people who have the disease are over the age of 60.

Treatment

Treatment options for colorectal cancer depend on how far the cancerous tumor has spread or how deeply it has started to affect the intestinal wall and other tissue areas. Treatment is also determined by the patient's age, medical history, general health, and specific medication and therapy tolerance.

Surgery is the main treatment for cancer of the small bowel, but treatment for each kind of small bowel cancer may vary from person to person. After your treatment has been finished, your doctor may tell you to come back to hospital for on-going check-ups.