There is no known cause for bowel cancer.

RISK FACTORS

Smokers are more likely to develop bowel cancer than non-smokers.
Obese people are more likely to develop bowel cancer.
People who are physically inactive are more likely to develop bowel cancer than active individuals.
Individuals with moderate to heavy alcohol use are at a higher risk of developing bowel cancer.
The chances of being diagnosed with bowel cancer increases with age.
Individuals with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Having a genetic condition such as Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, or HNPCC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
If you have been diagnosed with colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, your risk has been increased.




TESTS FOR BOWEL CANCER

Guidelines recommend starting routine screening from age 45 years in order to detect for signs of colon cancer or noncancerous colon polyps and even earlier if there is a family history of bowel cancer or Familial adenomatous polyposis or risk factors.

The benefit of screening is that cancer is detected early, managed and increases the chance of successful recovery and outcomes. Speak to your doctor about the most appropriate screening in your circumstance. The following screening techniques are used:




Colonoscopy
Computed tomography (CT or CAT) colonography.
Sigmoidoscopy
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and fecal immunochemical test (FIT which is more sensitive and more convenient to carry out)
Stool DNA tests
TREATMENT

Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Surgery, Drug Therapy, Targeted therapy and Immunotherapy are all treatment options for bowel cancer. The selection of treatment is made by the doctor based on the type of bowel cancer the patient has, the location of the tumor in the colon and/or rectum, how far the cancer has spread, the speed at which tumors are developing and the overall health of the patient.