What you need to know about bowel cancer
By Emily Usher | 28 April 2025
Cure Cancer's comprehensive guide to bowel cancer: Symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment options, and the lifestyle changes that can make a difference.
Bowel cancer – also known as colon, rectal or colorectal cancer – is a serious health issue across the globe. It’s now the second deadliest cancer in Australia and worldwide, and alarmingly, it’s affecting more young Australians than ever before.
But what exactly is bowel cancer? The terms ‘colon cancer’, ‘rectal cancer,’ and ‘colorectal cancer’ are often used interchangeably, but they all refer to cancers that begin in different parts of the large intestine. ‘Bowel cancer’ is the umbrella term commonly used in Australia to describe any cancer of the colon or rectum.
Bowel cancer statistics
- Over 15,500 Australians are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year and more than 5,200 lives are lost
- It is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Australia.
- 1 in 9 people facing bowel cancer are under 50. Many had no symptoms, no family history, and were otherwise healthy.
- Bowel cancer is now the deadliest cancer among Australians aged 25–44, and rates are rising steadily in this age group.*
- Despite this, up to 90% of cases can be treated successfully if detected early.
It’s clear from these statistics that there is an urgent need for change. That’s why Cure Cancer is committed to raising awareness about bowel cancer, funding groundbreaking research, and providing education about prevention and early detection.
What are the early symptoms of bowel cancer?
Recognising the early symptoms of bowel cancer can lead to faster diagnoses and better outcomes. Some common signs and symptoms include:
- A persistent change in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, or changes in of stool shape)
- Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating
- A feeling that the bowel hasn’t emptied completely
- Fatigue or weakness
If you notice any of these symptoms lasting more than two weeks, it's important you talk to your GP.
How is bowel cancer diagnosed?
Bowel cancer diagnosis usually begins with a medical history and physical examination. If your doctor has concerns, you may be referred for further tests such as:
- Faecal immunochemical test (FIT): A stool test to detect blood.
- Colonoscopy for bowel cancer: A procedure where a tiny camera is used to examine the colon and take biopsies.
- Imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs to determine cancer spread.
Early and accurate diagnosis is key to understanding the stages of bowel cancer and deciding on the best treatment.
What are the stages of bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer is classified into stages depending on how far it has spread:
- Stage 0: Abnormal cells are present but haven’t spread beyond the lining of the bowel.
- Stage 1: Cancer has spread to the wall of the bowel.
- Stage 2: Cancer has spread to the outer layers of the bowel.
- Stage 3: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage 4 (advanced bowel cancer): Cancer has spread to other organs in the body.
Knowing the bowel cancer stages helps guide treatment decisions and gives insight into what the outcome might be.
What are the risk factors for bowel cancer?
There are several bowel cancer risk factors to be aware of:
- Age (though rates are rising in younger people)
- Family history or inherited conditions (genetic factors in bowel cancer play a role in around 20% of cases)
- A diet high in red meat and processed foods
- Low fibre intake
- Inactive lifestyle
- Smoking and heavy alcohol use
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
While some factors like age and genetics are beyond our control, being informed is an important first step. Here are some general bowel health tips that may help lower your risk of bowel cancer:
- Eat a high-fibre diet with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and reduce your intake of red meat and processed foods.
- Stay physically active
- Limit alcohol and avoid smoking
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Speak to your doctor about when to start screening, especially if you’re 45 or older, or have a family history. The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) offers free FIT kits to people aged 50 to 74 every two years – younger people aged 45 to 49 can now opt-in to participate in the NBCSP. Early detection is critical – don’t delay your screening.
Early detection saves lives, so don’t put off a screening conversation with your GP.
What is the survival rate for bowel cancer patients?
The good news is that if detected early, the five-year survival rate for bowel cancer is over 90%. However, survival drops significantly once the disease has spread.
Bowel cancer survival rates are improving due to earlier detection and better treatments, but the prognosis still varies widely depending on the cancer’s stage and the patient’s overall health.
What treatments are available for bowel cancer?
Cure Cancer-funded bowel cancer researcher Dr Lisa Mielke
Bowel cancer treatment depends on the stage and location of the cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health. Common treatments include:
- Surgery: Often the first line of treatment for early-stage cancer.
- Chemotherapy: Used before or after surgery to kill cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy: More common in rectal cancer treatment specifically.
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy: Newer treatments with fewer side effects, especially for advanced cases.
Thanks to ongoing bowel cancer research, treatments are becoming more personalised and effective. Cure Cancer researchers are currently working on innovative approaches to treatment:
- Dr Lisa Mielke is studying rare immune cells called gamma delta T cells, which play a crucial role in the body’s defense against cancer. Her research could lead to more effective immunotherapies with fewer side effects.
- Dr Peter Georgeson is focused on improving bowel cancer prediction and prevention, developing a personalised risk tool based on genetic information, which could improve screening effectiveness.
- Associate Professor Susan Woods is leading research to develop better screening methods and novel treatments, including probiotic bacteria to detect and treat bowel cancer.
- Dr Lochlan Fennell is researching ways to prevent bowel cancer by rejuvenating bowel cells. His work aims to repair damaged cells, reducing gene mutations and boosting the body’s defenses against cancer, offering a promising approach to prevention.
Bowel cancer isn’t just an older person’s disease – it’s affecting more young Australians than ever before. But with greater awareness, routine bowel cancer screening, and simple lifestyle changes, many lives can be saved.
If you're experiencing any signs or symptoms of bowel cancer, speak with your GP as soon as possible. And if you want to make a difference, consider supporting bowel cancer research.
Your donation could help fund the next big breakthrough in early detection, treatment, or care for those living with the disease.
Together, we can change the future for thousands of Australians.
