Colorectal Cancer Treatment in Brisbane

Bowel polyps and cancer can develop at any age. However, the risk increases significantly after the age of 50. That is why it is important to perform regular testing of your stool for blood after that age.

Testing for microscopic amounts of blood in your stool is called Faecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT) and is recommended to be performed every two years after the age of 50.

Another important risk factor is a significant family history of bowel cancer.

In Australia, patients meeting one of the following criteria are eligible to have a colonoscopy performed even in the absence of signs or symptoms:

• Having a first degree family member (parent, sibling, or child) diagnosed with bowel cancer at age < 55
• Having two first degree family members diagnosed with bowel cancer at any age
• Having one first degree and two second degree family members (grandparents, uncles, or cousins) diagnosed with bowel cancer at any age.

Finally, lifestyle factors such as being overweight or obese, alcohol, and smoking can also increase risk of bowel polyps and cancer.

Colorectal cancer may cause different symptoms such as:

• Changed bowel movements
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Feeling of incomplete emptying
• Changed appearance or consistency of stool (for example, thin stools)
• Blood in your stool
• Abdominal pain, bloating or cramping
• Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
• Anaemia (low iron levels).

However, colorectal cancer can sometimes cause no symptoms until it is too late. While blood may be present in your bowel movements, it may be there in such small quantities that you can’t see it with the naked eye.

If you’re aged over 50 it is strongly recommended that you test for microscopic blood every two years, either using the kit that is mailed to you by the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, or through your GP.

The most accurate way to diagnose bowel polyps or cancer is with a colonoscopy. A high quality, thorough, examination of the bowel is the best way to be certain that no abnormalities are missed.

If you are experiencing symptoms of bowel cancer or have a positive bowel cancer screening test, make an appointment to see us today to ensure timely investigation.