Quick read
Key points
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Bowel cancer (also called colorectal cancer) develops in the large intestine or rectum, and is one of the more common cancers, particularly in people over 50. Early symptoms can include a persistent change in bowel habit, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, or abdominal pain, though many cases are found through screening before symptoms even appear.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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A persistent change in bowel habit lasting more than a few weeks
01 · Know
What is Bowel Cancer?
Bowel cancer (also called colorectal cancer) develops in the large intestine or rectum, and is one of the more common cancers, particularly in people over 50. Early symptoms can include a persistent change in bowel habit, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, or abdominal pain, though many cases are found through screening before symptoms even appear.
When found early, bowel cancer is highly treatable, which is why national screening programmes like BowelScreen aim to detect it, or the pre-cancerous polyps that can develop into it, at the earliest possible stage.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Screening can catch bowel cancer before symptoms even start
BowelScreen, Ireland's national bowel cancer screening programme, looks for early signs of bowel cancer or polyps in people without any symptoms, which is exactly when treatment tends to be most effective.
03 · Act
When to See a Doctor
- 1A persistent change in bowel habit lasting more than a few weeks
- 2Blood in your stool, or bleeding from the bottom
- 3Unexplained weight loss or persistent abdominal pain
- 4A family history of bowel cancer, which may affect your recommended screening schedule
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Take Part in Screening When Invited
BowelScreen invites eligible people for regular screening — taking part, even without any symptoms, is one of the most effective ways to catch bowel cancer early, when it's most treatable.
- 1Complete your BowelScreen test when invited.This simple home test looks for hidden blood in the stool, a possible early sign of bowel cancer or polyps.
- 2Report persistent symptoms promptly.A change in bowel habit or blood in the stool lasting more than a few weeks should always be checked, regardless of screening status.
- 3Know your family history.A family history of bowel cancer may mean earlier or more frequent screening is recommended for you.
- 4Maintain a healthy lifestyle.A diet high in fibre, regular exercise, limiting alcohol, and not smoking are all linked to lower bowel cancer risk.
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Bowel cancer is highly treatable when caught early, and national screening programmes exist specifically to detect it before symptoms appear.
Taking part in BowelScreen when invited is one of the most effective steps you can take for early detection.