Bowel (colorectal) cancer
Diagnosis and tests
Diagnosing bowel cancer
Your family doctor (GP) will talk to you about your symptoms. He or she may do some tests. For example:
- Rectal exam (DRE): Your doctor puts a gloved finger into your back passage to feel for any lumps or swelling. It may be a little uncomfortable but does not hurt.
- Blood tests: Your doctor will take blood to see if you are anaemic. Also, he or she may check how well your liver and kidneys are working.
- Stool sample: Your doctor may ask for a sample of your poo (stool) to check for any hidden blood.
Your GP will refer you to hospital if they think you need more tests. Tests you might have include:
A short thin tube is passed into your back passage (rectum) while you are lying on your side. Air is then pumped in so the doctor can see the area more clearly.
A longer tube is passed further up into your bowel. A light inside the tube helps your doctor to see any abnormal areas in the lower part of your large bowel. A sample of cells (biopsy) can also be taken during a sigmoidoscopy.
The doctor passes a thin tube with a light and camera into your bowel through your back passage while you are lying on your side. This tube is called a colonoscope. They can look for any abnormal areas, polyps or swellings, and they may also take photos and samples of your bowel. When you are lying on your side, your doctor puts a long flexible tube into your back passage. A small sample of cells (biopsy) can also be taken during colonoscopy.
This is a type of scan. You will lie on a table which moves through the CT scanning machine. This can produce a 3D picture of your bowel.
A sample of cells (biopsy) can also be taken during a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. These can be checked under the microscope to find out more about the cancer, if cancer cells are present in the sample.
If you are diagnosed with bowel cancer we're here for you. Our cancer nurses are here if you need information or just want to talk. They can help you to understand your diagnosis, what to expect, send you information and tell you about our services.
Further tests for bowel cancer
You may need further tests to give your doctors more information about your general health and about the cancer. For example:
- Tests to stage your cancer. This means finding out the size and postion of the cancer.
- Tests to check your general health and your fitness for treatment.
- Tests to see how you are responding to treatment.
A scan that uses magnetic energy to build up a picture of the tissues inside your body. During the scan you will lie inside a tunnel-like machine.
Read more about MRI scans.
of thorax, abdomen and pelvis: This is a special type of X-ray that gives a detailed 3D picture of your chest area (thorax), abdomen and pelvis.
Read more about CT scans.
virtual colonoscopy: In some hospitals you may be offered a CT colonoscopy. This is is scan that builds up a detailed picture of the tissues inside your bowel. This may be used if you are not able to have a colonoscopy and will be part of the planning stage before your bowel cancer surgery.
A device like a microphone passed over your tummy to give a picture of your digestive system. It can show any abnormal changes.
A radioactive injection that will show up any cancer spread to other parts of your body on a CT scan picture.
Waiting for test results
It can take a number of weeks for all the test results to come back. Waiting for results can be an anxious time for you. It may help to talk things over with the specialist nurse or with a relative or close friend. You can also call our Support Line on 1800 200 700 or visit a Daffodil Centre to speak to a cancer nurse.
What are the stages of bowel cancer?
Staging means finding out how big the cancer is and if it has spread to other parts of your body. Staging will help your doctor to plan the best treatment for you.
TNM staging system
The staging system normally used is called TNM. This stands for:
- Tumour (T): How big is the tumour?
- Node (N): Is there cancer in your lymph nodes?
- Metastasis (M): Has the cancer has spread to other parts of your body?
Number staging
Your doctor often uses the TNM information to give your cancer a number stage – from 1 to 4.
In general, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread.
The cancer is in the inner wall of your colon or rectum only.
The cancer is in the muscle layer of your colon or rectum and may have spread to nearby tissues.
The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
The cancer has spread to other parts of your body, for example your liver or lungs.
Knowing the stage of your cancer helps your team to plan the best treatment for you.
Continue reading about bowel cancer
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