Bowel (colorectal) cancer
Symptoms of bowel ( ) cancer can include a change in your normal bowel habit or blood in your poo. These can also be symptoms for other conditions, but it’s important to see your doctor.
Your GP might arrange a test that looks for tiny traces of blood in a sample of your poo. The traces of blood might be too small to see. This is a test called FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test). You do this test yourself at home.
Find out about testing for blood in your poo using FIT
Or your doctor might send you to the hospital for further tests.
Get information on tests for bowel cancer
Last reviewed: 06 Nov 2024
Next review due: 06 Nov 2027
See your doctor if you notice a change in your bowel habit that isn't normal for you or if you have any other of the possible signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.
Your GP should arrange for you to have tests or to see a specialist if you have symptoms that could be due to bowel cancer.
You might have a number of tests to check for bowel cancer. This includes a test that looks for tiny traces of blood in a sample of poo (FIT) and a test to look at the inside of your bowel (colonoscopy).
The risk factors for bowel (colorectal) cancer include your age, family history, lifestyle factors and other medical conditions.
Bowel cancer is also called colorectal cancer. It affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum.
Bowel cancer means cancer that starts in the colon (large bowel) or back passage (rectum). It is also known as colorectal cancer.
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