goodtoknow says: Every 15 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with bowel cancer, but the good news is it's very treatable. Bowel cancer (colorectal cancer or intestinal cancer) is largely a disease of old age, the average age of diagnosis is 70, although young people do get bowel cancer and it can be hereditary. Symptoms to look out for include a change in bowel habit, blood in your stools and abdominal pains, although these can also be symptoms of far less serious conditions. See your GP if you're worried.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of cancer of the bowel (colorectal cancer) from patient.co.uk, read on.

Colorectal cancer is common in the UK. Most cases occur in people over 50. If colorectal cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, there is a good chance of a cure. In general, the more advanced the cancer (the more it has grown and spread), the less chance that treatment will be curative. However, treatment can often slow the progress of the cancer. Some people at high risk are screened to detect colorectal cancer at an early stage.

• Next: What does colorectal mean?

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