Bowel Cancer and Polyps

A colonic polyp is a small, typically benign (non-cancerous) growth that occurs on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. They are relatively common and can develop in people of all ages. Other factors that determine your risk include your family history.

Some colonic polyps can, over time develop into cancer if not detected or removed through colonoscopy. Symptoms of bowel cancer can include a change in bowel habits, such as persistent diarrhea or constipation, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss.

Removal of colonic polyps is a safe procedure which is performed through the endoscope. You should not expect to have pain following this. There are several risks such as bleeding (1 in 500 patients) and perforation but the risk is low and occurrences are usually minor.

Bowel cancer causes the second highest number of cancer deaths in Australia after lung cancer but is highly preventable if detected early.

In Australia, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program recommends that people (without symptoms) aged 50 to 74 years old undergo a screening test for bowel cancer every two years. The program offers eligible (asymptomatic) individuals a free faecal occult blood test (FOBT) kit, which can be completed at home and returned by mail.

If the FOBT results are positive, indicating the presence of blood in the stool, further testing, such as a colonoscopy, may be recommended to determine the cause of the bleeding and to look for any early signs of bowel cancer.

However, if you have any symptoms, you may require a colonoscopy to exclude the presence of a range of benign and cancerous abnormalities. I have experience in the diagnosis and management of intestinal conditions and am accredited to perform colonoscopy at multiple sites in Perth (Subiaco and Mount Lawley). 

Learn more about Colonoscopy