Bowel cancer—also known as colorectal cancer—is one of the most common and serious cancers in Australia. In fact, it's the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the country. Around 1 in 20 Australians will be diagnosed with bowel cancer in their lifetime.
One of the challenges with bowel cancer is that it often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms until it’s at an advanced stage—when treatment can be more difficult. However, when found early, bowel cancer is much more treatable, and survival rates are significantly higher.
Most bowel cancers begin as polyps, which are small, non-cancerous growths in the lining of the bowel. Not all polyps become cancerous, but some can—especially if left undetected over time.
Good news: Removing polyps during a colonoscopy can dramatically reduce your risk of bowel cancer—by up to 63%.
The biggest risk factor for bowel cancer is age—the risk increases significantly after age 50. Other risk factors include:
Family history of bowel cancer, especially if diagnosed at a young age
Smoking
Heavy alcohol consumption
Lack of physical activity
Poor diet (especially low in fibre and high in processed meats)
It’s important to know that most people who develop bowel cancer (up to 80%) have no family history of the disease.
Yes, there are steps you can take:
Eat a balanced, high-fibre diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
Exercise regularly
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake
Some studies suggest that taking a low-dose aspirin long-term may lower your risk of bowel cancer. However, aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding, so this should always be discussed with your doctor before starting.
Early detection saves lives. Regular screening is one of the best ways to detect bowel cancer early or prevent it altogether by removing polyps before they become cancerous.
People aged 50 and over are encouraged to get screened—even if they feel healthy.
If you have a family history of bowel cancer, your doctor may recommend starting screening earlier.
Screening can be done using:
A faecal occult blood test (FOBT) – a simple at-home test that looks for hidden blood in your stool
A colonoscopy – a more thorough examination of the bowel, often recommended after a positive FOBT
Australia’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program offers free at-home screening kits every two years to eligible Australians aged 50 to 74. If your test comes back positive, your doctor will arrange a follow-up colonoscopy.
To learn more or to check your eligibility, visit: www.cancerscreening.gov.au
For more information and support, visit Bowel Cancer Australia