Health Spotlight: Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a broad term referring to cancer that can develop in any part of the large intestine, including the colon and rectum. Colon cancer develops in the colon, which is the longest part of the large intestine. Rectal cancer develops in the rectum, the last section of the large intestine.

The stages of bowel cancer are:

Stage 0: Abnormal, non-cancerous cells exist in the innermost bowel lining layers (but may become cancerous)

Stage I: Cancerous cells have spread deeper into the bowel wall

Stage II: Cancer has spread through the bowel wall muscle and may have reached nearby organs or lymph nodes

Stage III: Cancer has spread to nearby organs and lymph nodes

Stage IV: Cancer has spread to other body parts (eg. lungs or brain)

A range of tests help diagnose bowel cancer:

Physical Exam: Checking for swelling or lumps in the abdomen and rectum

Blood Test: Checks for signs of blood loss and low red blood levels blood

Colonoscopy: A camera checks the colon for unusual tissue.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Looks at the rectum and lower colon

Scans (MRI, CT, PET): Provide detailed images to check for signs of cancer

Faecal Occult Blood Test (iFOBT): A home stool test that looks for hidden blood, which may indicate polyps or cancer.

Bowel cancer can develop due to a combination of genetic, medical, and lifestyle factors. Some of the key influences include:

Bowel cancer usually starts when cells in the lining of the large bowel grow in an abnormal and uncontrolled way to form polyps (a projecting growth of tissue).⁶ While most polyps are benign, some can develop into invasive cancers if left undetected and untreated, depending on the type, size and number of polyps, and whether the polyp contains abnormal cells.⁷

More than 90% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated if detected early.⁸ However, if left untreated, cancer cells can spread along the wall of the bowel (causing a blockage in some instances), to lymph nodes and to other parts of the body.⁹

Treatment may vary based on the location and stage of the cancer, severity of the symptoms, and the health and wishes of the patient.¹¹

Surgery: While polyps and in situ cancers can often be removed during a diagnostic colonoscopy, surgery may be needed to remove the cancer and surrounding healthy tissue and rejoin the two ends of the bowel. If the bowel cannot be reconnected, a stoma will be made (an opening to the outside of the body, allowing waste to leave the body via a colostomy bag external of the body).

Targeted therapy: Medicines have been developed to specifically attack cancer cells with no harm to normal, healthy cells.

Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy uses medicines that boost the ability of the immune system to attack cancer cells. It is helpful treating advanced bowel cancers, including cancers that have spread, come back after treatment or which cannot be removed by surgery.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is used either before surgery to reduce the size of the cancer, or after surgery to reduce the risk of bowel cancer returning. It can be done using oral tablets or intravenous injections.

Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) kills cancer cells or prevents further growth with high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation.¹²

There are many ways to reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer,¹³ including:

• Eating a healthy, fiber-rich diet (including fresh fruit and vegetables)
• Not smoking
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Limiting consumption of red meat and processed meats
• Staying physically active
• Maintaining a healthy body weight.

1  Bowel Cancer. Cancer Council, 13 February 2025

2  Bowel cancer (Colorectal cancer) in Australia statistics. Cancer Australia, 3 March 2025

3  Bowel cancer (Colorectal cancer) in Australia statistics. Cancer Australia, 3 March 2025

4  What are the symptoms of bowel cancer? Cancer Australia, 18 September 2024

5  Bowel cancer (colon and rectal cancer). HealthDirect, November 2023

6  Bowel cancer (colon and rectal cancer). HealthDirect, November 2023

7  Types of bowel cancer. Cancer Australia, 18 September 2024

8  Screening. Cancer Australia, 4 February 2025

9  Bowel cancer (colon and rectal cancer). HealthDirect, November 2023

10  Screening. Cancer Australia, 4 February 2025

11  Treatment options. Cancer Australia, 20 November 2024

12  Radiation therapy. Bowel Cancer Australia

13  Bowel Cancer. Cancer Council, 13 February 2025

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