Despite the persistent incidence of
Bowel Cancer
in the community, there has been a fall in the overall mortality rate due in part to screening and early intervention and also improved treatments.
Bowel Cancer Screening tests are recommended every 24 months for every Australian over 50.
Men between the ages of 50 and 75 need to be screened for colon cancer. The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program invites Australians aged over 50 to screen for bowel cancer using a free, simple test at home. This aims to reduce deaths from bowel cancer through early detection of the disease.
A Bowel Cancer Screening involves the chemical testing of a small sample of stool you collect yourself. The test can detect small amounts of blood in the stool and this is called Faecal Occult Blood testing (FOB).
Studies have shown that populations that are screened with a FOB have a lower risk of dying from bowel cancer. Screening programs using FOB are being developed in Australia.
If your doctor suspects you may have bowel cancer, internal examinations of the back passage and special tests will be organised.
Immediate examinations can include:
- A digital examination
- An endoscopic examination using either
- a rigid sigmoidoscopy (up to 20 cms),
- flexible sigmoidoscopy (up to 60 cms)
- colonoscopy (all of the large bowel)
- A biopsy sample of tissue for pathology testing
- CT colonography or X-Ray that outlines the colon
- A CT scan of the abdomen
- An (internal) endorectal ultrasound examination
- An MRI scan of the pelvis and rectum
- Occasionally a PET CT is also required to rule out distant spread (metastases).
After the results of these tests are available, an EEC Surgeon would discuss a plan of management.
It is best at this stage to be accompanied by a friend or relative to help you in understanding the explanation and treatment plan.