About one in 20 people in the UK will develop bowel cancer during their lifetime. It is the third most common cancer in the UK, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths, with over 16,000 people dying from it each year.

 

Bowel Cancer, also known as Colorectal cancer, is any cancer that affects the last section of the digestive system. This usually means the colon (large bowel) or rectum (back passage). Bowel cancer is caused by the abnormal growth of cells in the lining of the bowel. Usually small lumps called polyps begin to form. Commonly these lumps are referred to as tumours.

 

The growth of polyps can be harmless, these are known as benign tumours. However, these polyps can also be caused by the growth of cancer cells. These are called malignant tumours. If left untreated, these cancerous growths can spread to other parts of the body.

 

 

 Bowel cancer screening aims to detect bowel cancer at an early stage, in people with no symptoms, when treatment is more likely to be effective. Bowel cancer screening can also detect polyps. These are not cancers, but may develop into cancers over time. They can easily be removed, reducing the risk of bowel cancer developing.

 

 

A Project has been set up to plan and implement a Bowel Cancer Screening Programme which will start at the end of December 2009. Project information is included in the section below.

Related information on the work of the NICaN Regional Colorectal Cancer Group and the Modernising Endoscopy Services Project can be seen by clicking on the following links: