In the UK, bowel cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer and affects about one in 15 men and one in 18 women during their lifetime; however, most people who get bowel cancer develop it in later life.
How common is bowel cancer?
Bowel Cancer affects one in 15 to one in 18 people

Of all the people who develop bowel cancer, only a small number (about one in 20) have an inherited genetic cause; therefore, although having a family history of bowel cancer is common, an inherited tendency to developing bowel cancer is quite rare.

Risk assessment
Based on a person’s family history information, we divide increased risk of bowel cancer into four groups. These risk groups are:
Near-population risk
Moderate risk
High risk
Very high risk
We use these groups to help us decide what screening is appropriate and whether any further investigations are needed. In addition, all people are advised to join the national bowel screening programme currently offered from the age of 60. This involves testing of stool (poo) samples.
If you fall into an increased risk group, this means that your chance of developing bowel cancer is higher than average. For most people, even with a high risk, it is still much more likely they will never get bowel cancer.
Back to topBowel cancer screening
You may be offered bowel screening to check for abnormal changes in the bowel. This type of screening is called a colonoscopy.
A colonoscopy is a test in which the doctor or nurse can look at the lining of the bowel. In order to do the test, a narrow tube with a small light and camera attached to the end (a colonoscope) is carefully passed up the back passage into the large bowel. The doctor or nurse can see a clear view of the lining of the bowel using this technique. The bowel needs to be cleared with laxatives before the test.
Can tests show if the bowel cancer in my family is due to an inherited tendency?
Sometimes, it is possible to carry out a test on a sample of cancer tissue or a polyp that was removed at the time of a person’s surgery or colonoscopy. This is called mismatch repair (MMR) testing. This test looks for evidence that the tumour was caused by a condition called Lynch syndrome.
If the tumour tests, or the family history, suggest that the bowel cancer is due to an inherited genetic cause a genetic test (requiring a blood sample from a person with cancer) may be offered. A separate leaflet is available on this topic.
What can you do to keep a check on yourself?
There are a few things to look out for which can help with the early detection of bowel cancer:
What can you do to keep a check on yourself?
There are a few things to look out for which can help with the early detection of bowel cancer:
- Bleeding from the back passage other than from haemorrhoids (piles), or blood in/on stools (poo).
- Change in bowel habits (e.g. diarrhoea /constipation) lasting more than three weeks.
- Feeling that the bowel has not emptied properly after going to the toilet.
- Pain or discomfort in your abdomen.
If you experience any of these symptoms, do not panic. These symptoms are often associated with other problems such as haemorrhoids (piles). It is important to make an appointment with your GP who may refer you for investigations.
There are things we can all do to reduce our chance of developing bowel cancer.
These include:
- Eating less red and processed meat
- Keeping fit and active, and maintaining a healthy weight
- Not smoking or drinking too much alcohol
What should you do if anyone else in your family develops cancer in the future?
Please let your GP know if anyone else in your family develops cancer, especially of the large bowel (colon) or rectum, womb (endometrium), ovaries, small bowel, stomach or kidneys. This may alter our risk assessment.
For more information:
If you need more information, please contact your local Genetics Department. If you live in the Yorkshire region, please contact:
Other sources of information:
Factual information presented in this communication is based on accurate contemporaneous peer reviewed literature. Evidence of sources can be provided on request.
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