Bowel cancer (colorectal cancer)

Bowel cancer is also called colorectal cancer and includes large bowel cancer (colon cancer) and cancer of the back passage (rectal cancer or cancer of the rectum). Find out about bowel cancer symptoms, risk factors, causes and preventing bowel cancer. There is information about tests to diagnose bowel cancer and treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, biological therapy, research and clinical trials. The living with bowel cancer section has information about diet after surgery, managing a colostomy, and how cancer may affect your sex life.

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What to ask your doctor

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You can also find bowel cancer organisations providing help and support, a reading list and see where this information comes from.

Did you know that Cancer Research UK has an online forum for people affected by cancer? Cancer Chat is your space to talk about cancer.

Plus join the Q & A sessions on the first Thursday of every month and have your questions answered by one of our cancer specialist nurses.

Press release: Trial launched into curry chemical’s cancer-fighting properties: Compounds found in curry are being investigated as a way of improving drug response in patients with advanced bowel cancer in a new study launched today (Monday).; 7 May 2012
Press release: Aspirin after bowel cancer diagnosis reduces chance of dying by 30 per cent: Taking aspirin after being diagnosed with bowel cancer can reduce the chance of dying from the disease by 30 per cent, new research shows today.; 25 Apr 2012
News: Series of measures 'could cut bowel cancer deaths by nearly two-thirds': The number of UK bowel cancer deaths could be cut by nearly two-thirds within the next 15 years if certain recommendations are followed, according to the charity Bowel Cancer UK.; 23 Apr 2012

News: News digest – curry extract and bowel cancer, infections and cancer, brain tumours and more: We launched a clinical trial (press release) to test whether curcumin – an extract from the curry spice turmeric – could improve treatment for advanced bowel cancer. This doesn’t mean curry cures cancer (as we pointed out here), or that … Continue reading →; 12 May 2012
News: New trial to test spice extract curcumin against bowel cancer: Headline writers take note: curry doesn’t cure cancer. But over the years, several studies have given researchers a tantalising glimpse of the cancer-fighting potential of a chemical called curcumin, an extract of the yellow curry spice turmeric. This is the … Continue reading →; 7 May 2012
News: Podcast: redefining breast cancer, tiny brain tumours, bowel cancer progress and more: This month, we hear how a landmark study could revolutionise breast cancer treatment, and take a look at the growing evidence on aspirin and cancer. We also hear how obesity may be driving rises in kidney and womb cancer rates, … Continue reading →; 30 Apr 2012