These tests are quick and painless, with nothing inserted into your body.

Ultrasound scan

This test uses sound waves to build a picture of the inside of your body. You lie on your back on a couch. When you are comfortable, a gel will be spread on your abdomen to help the sound waves transmit through your skin. A device like a microphone is pressed onto your abdomen. Sound waves from it make pictures on a computer screen.

This is not painful, but if you are already tender, there may be some discomfort when the doctor or radiographer presses firmly to get a good picture.

These scans are done in the radiology (X-ray) department at your local hospital.

Computerised tomography (CT) or computer assisted tomography (CAT) scan

This is a type of X-ray that creates a picture of the inside of your body. You lie on a bed while you pass through a large, hollow ring. CT scanning can help tell whether the disease has spread to other parts of your body. Its use is usually routine before surgery. It may also be used to check your progress during a course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy for secondary cancer.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

MRI is especially useful for learning more about cancer in the rectum. It helps your doctors decide on appropriate treatment.

Most district general hospitals that treat cancer will carry out this test.

Examination under anaesthetic (EUA) and endorectal ultrasound scan

If your doctor needs to examine you to find out if the tumour has spread beyond your bowel wall, you may need a more detailed examination, called an examination under anaesthetic (EUA). Sigmoidoscopes and colonoscopes can only view the inside of the bowel wall. EUA is usually used for finding out more about low rectal cancers.

The doctor examines your colon and bowel while you are under a general anaesthetic. She or he will use her or his fingers to feel the tumour from inside your bowel and by pressing on the outside of your abdomen at the same time. The doctor may use a sigmoidoscope as well. More biopsies may be taken.

While still under the anaesthetic, you will usually be given an endorectal ultrasound scan. It will give more information on the spread of the cancer. This helps your cancer team work out what radiotherapy may be needed.

The examination itself takes only a few minutes, and it can be done as a day case. After a few hours you will have recovered from the anaesthetic, and you can be taken home.

You will also have blood and urine tests to check your general health at your first clinic appointment.