Colorectal cancer usually begins as a polyp — a small growth in the bowel lining that is harmless at first and takes years to turn cancerous. Screening works because that slow timeline gives ample opportunity to intervene.
Assessing your risk
A risk assessment considers your age, family history, diet, weight, physical activity, smoking, alcohol and any history of inflammatory bowel disease. From that we advise which screening approach suits you and when to begin.
Screening options
- **Stool-based tests** look for hidden blood or abnormal DNA, are non-invasive and can be done without preparation. They are repeated at regular intervals.
- **Colonoscopy** examines the bowel directly and allows polyps to be removed during the same procedure. We advise when it is warranted and refer you appropriately.
Symptoms that need attention now
Do not wait for a routine screening date if you have any of these:
- Blood in the stool, or black stools
- A change in bowel habit lasting more than a few weeks
- Persistent abdominal pain or cramping
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unexplained iron-deficiency anaemia
- A feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
Piles are a far more common cause of rectal bleeding than cancer. That is exactly why bleeding gets ignored — and why it should still be examined rather than assumed.
Part of our preventive oncology services.