Bowel (colorectal) cancer

Bowel cancer is also called colorectal cancer, as it describes cancers that affect the colon or the rectum. Most bowel cancers affect the colon.

About 2,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Ireland each year.* 

Detecting cancer early

Signs and symptoms

Learn about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. You are more likely to survive cancer if you find it at an earlier stage. 

Treatments

Treatments

There are a number of different treatments available for bowel cancer. Your medical team will explain the best treatment options for you. 

 

What is bowel (colorectal) cancer?

Bowel cancer is when the normal cells in your bowel grow in an abnormal way to form a lump called a tumour. The bowel is part of your digestive system. This cancer may cause a blockage in your bowel, which can affect how your bowel works.

The bowel has two parts – the small bowel and the large bowel. Most cancers occur in the large bowel in the colon and rectum. Cancer of the rectum occurs very low down in your bowel close to your anus. Bowel cancer is also known as colorectal cancer or cancer of the colon or rectum. 

You can watch our bowel cancer video to find out more

A short video about bowel cancer, the signs and symptoms, types and treatments, and how to reduce your risk.

What is the bowel and what does it do?

The bowel is part of your digestive system. It is made up of the small bowel and the large bowel. 

The large bowel contains your colon and rectum. Most cancers occur in the large bowel.

A cross section of a body showing the parts of the digestive system

When you swallow food, it goes from the gullet (oesophagus) to your stomach and into your small bowel. Food is digested in the small bowel and nutrients are taken into the body. In the large bowel, water is absorbed from digested food.

The waste matter that is left (called faeces, stool or poo) is stored in the rectum (back passage) until ready to pass out of the body through the anus - the opening to the outside of your body. 

Risk and prevention of bowel cancer

Having a risk factor doesn’t mean you will get cancer. Sometimes people with no risk factors get the disease.

Read more about risk factors and reducing your risk of bowel cancer.

Medical content updated from our 'Understanding bowel (colorectal) and anal cancer' booklet (2022), reviewed by Mr Saqib Zeeshan, Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon, Mary Sweeney, Colorectal Nurse Specialist and Teraze Toby, Daffodil Centre Nurse.


Continue reading about bowel cancer

Read next Bowel (colorectal) cancer signs and symptoms

Publications about bowel cancer

Bowel (colorectal) and anal cancer
Bowel (colorectal) and anal cancer
Booklet 75 pages 8.46 MB
Information for bowel and anal cancer patients, including tests, staging, treatment and side-effects, and how to cope.
Bowel cancer - What you should know
Bowel cancer - What you should know
Booklet 8 pages 120.54 KB
This leaflet gives you facts about bowel cancer, its causes and symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and how to reduce your risk. It also has information on bowel screening.
Bowel cancer - Know what to look for
Bowel cancer - Know what to look for
Poster 1 page 1.65 MB
Know the symptoms of bowel cancer, because spotting cancer early is important. An A4 poster to download, share, or print.

Talk to a Cancer Nurse

Support Line

Support Line

Our Cancer Nurses offer confidential advice, support and information for anyone affected by cancer. Call or email supportline@irishcancer.ie. Video calls available. Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
Support Line
Our Daffodil Centres

Our Daffodil Centres

Our Daffodil Centres in 13 hospitals nationwide are staffed by Cancer Nurses and trained volunteers who provide face-to-face advice, support and information for anyone affected by cancer.
Our Daffodil Centres

*The Irish Cancer Society uses the most up-to-date cancer statistics from the National Cancer Registry Ireland, available on www.ncri.ie