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Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, begins in the colon or rectum and often develops from pre-cancerous polyps. Early detection through screening greatly improves treatment outcomes.

About Symptoms Treatment Risk Factors & Prevention Find A Specialist

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world, with over 3000 New Zealanders diagnosed each year.

Bowel cancer typically begins as small, benign growths called polyps, which can become cancerous over time.

Early detection through screening can help prevent the progression from polyps to cancer. 

Bowel Cancer Symptoms

Bowel cancer may not cause symptoms initially, but when they do appear, they can include:

  • Change in bowel habit: Persistent diarrhoea or constipation. 

  • Bleeding: Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding. 

  • Abdominal discomfort: Cramping, gas, or persistent pain in the abdomen 

  • Incomplete bowel emptying: A feeling that the bowel hasn’t emptied fully after a movement. 

  • Weakness or fatigue: Subtle bleeding from bowel cancer can lead to anaemia, a low blood count, which can result in tiredness. 

  • Unintended weight loss: Losing weight without a change in diet or exercise  

Bowel Cancer Treatment

For people diagnosed with bowel cancer, treatment may include surgery to remove the affected part of the bowel, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.  

Early detection and treatment of colon cancer significantly improves outcomes.  

Intus gastroenterologists and surgeons are experienced in colonoscopy, which is used to detect and prevent bowel cancer, and our colorectal surgeons are expert in surgery to remove bowel cancer. Your specialist will explain the treatment options that may be right for you and will ensure that you have timely and appropriate assessment, treatment, and surveillance. 

Surgery

Surgical removal of the cancer. This may involve removing part of the bowel to stop the cancer from spreading.

Chemotherapy

Medication that works throughout the body to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.

Radiotherapy

High-energy rays that target cancer cells to shrink tumours or reduce the risk of recurrence.

Risk Factors
Prevention

Find A Specialist

View All Staff

  • Dr Richard Perry

    General & Colorectal Surgeon

  • Dr Ian Bradford

    General & Colorectal Surgeon

  • Dr Deborah Wright

    General & Colorectal Surgeon

  • A/Prof Craig Lynch

    General & Colorectal Surgeon

  • Dr James Haddow

    General & Colorectal Surgeon

  • Dr Thomas Caspritz

    Gastroenterologist

  • Dr Thomas Herregods

    Gastroenterologist

  • Dr Kyle Hendry

    Gastroenterologist

  • Dr Reina Lim

    Hepatologist

  • Dr Kurt Sanford

    Gastroenterologist

  • Dr Alison Ross

    Gastroenterologist

  • Dr Nigel S. Rajaretnam

    Upper GI & Endocrine Surgeons