Also referred to as cancer of the bowel, colorectal cancer affects the large intestine (colon) or the rectum, the last 20-25 cm of the colon. In the UK, colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer found in women (after breast cancer) and the third most common cancer in men (after prostate and lung cancer).
Colorectal cancer tends to develop chiefly in middle age or later, and around 90% of people with the disease are older than 50. Although its exact cause is unknown, diet, lifestyle and genetics are thought to play a large part.
In this section, you can learn more about the causes of bowel cancer, along with information on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. You'll also find a useful guide to prevention.
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