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Cancer News

The latest news, analysis and opinion from Cancer Research UK

Bowel (colorectal) cancer

Around 43,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year. Also known as colorectal cancer, bowel cancer is the 4th most common cancer in the UK.

Symptoms of bowel cancer can include a change in your normal bowel habit – such as pooing more often, looser poo or constipation – or blood in your poo.

Showing 12 out of 337 results
A busy London street.

Cancer rates in adults under 50 have been rising since the 1990s. Our researchers are leading the effort to turn the trend around. Cancer rates in adults under 50 have been rising since the 1990s. Our researchers are leading the effort to turn the trend around.

by Tim Gunn | In depth | 24 January 2023

24 January 2023

A woman receiving chemotherapy from a nurse.

Giving colon cancer patients chemotherapy before surgery cuts their risk of the disease coming back, according to a trial we funded. Giving colon cancer patients chemotherapy before surgery cuts their risk of the disease coming back, according to a trial we funded.

by Tim Gunn | News | 20 January 2023

20 January 2023

The House of Parliament in London

Research from the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership has found a link between cancer policy consistency over time and survival for six cancer types Research from the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership has found a link between cancer policy consistency over time and survival for six cancer types

by Jacob Smith | Analysis | 1 November 2022

1 November 2022

A 3D illustration of cancer cells

Research from our Cambridge Institute has shown us that metastasis isn’t a process unique to cancer, revolutionising the way we think about cell dissemination.  Research from our Cambridge Institute has shown us that metastasis isn’t a process unique to cancer, revolutionising the way we think about cell dissemination. 

by Jacob Smith | Analysis | 18 October 2022

18 October 2022

A illustration of T cells, a type of immune cell attacking cancer

If we’re to reduce the risk of bowel cancer in people with IBD, we’re going to have to find a more effective treatment. And we may have done just that.  If we’re to reduce the risk of bowel cancer in people with IBD, we’re going to have to find a more effective treatment. And we may have done just that. 

by Jacob Smith | Analysis | 23 August 2022

23 August 2022

The faecal immunochemical test kit used for bowel cancer screening in the UK

If we can find interventions that help to increase participation in screening programmes amongst lower income groups, we may be able to reduce the health inequalities that exist in bowel cancer outcomes.   If we can find interventions that help to increase participation in screening programmes amongst lower income groups, we may be able to reduce the health inequalities that exist in bowel cancer outcomes.  

by Jacob Smith | Analysis | 5 July 2022

5 July 2022

Dame Deborah James, also know as BowelBabe

Last night, Dame Deborah James’s family announced that she passed away peacefully at home, after living with bowel cancer since 2016. Last night, Dame Deborah James’s family announced that she passed away peacefully at home, after living with bowel cancer since 2016.

by Cancer Research UK | News | 29 June 2022

29 June 2022

Dame Deborah James

Since she was diagnosed in 2016, Dame Deborah James has brought bowel cancer into the spotlight, encouraged people to be aware of the symptoms and seek help if they notice them.  Since she was diagnosed in 2016, Dame Deborah James has brought bowel cancer into the spotlight, encouraged people to be aware of the symptoms and seek help if they notice them. 

by Jacob Smith | Analysis | 24 May 2022

24 May 2022

A photograph of gut bacteria.

Our researchers across the world are investigating a potential link between bowel cancer and the microbiome, and the potential role antibiotics might play. Our researchers across the world are investigating a potential link between bowel cancer and the microbiome, and the potential role antibiotics might play.

by Lilly Matson | In depth | 15 March 2022

15 March 2022

Vivian Li, group leader of the stem cell and cancer biology lab at the Francis Crick Institute

Disrupted cell signalling, hijacked stem cells and the power of 'mini-guts' – we hear from Dr Vivian Li on the challenges and opportunities of developing colorectal cancer treatments. Disrupted cell signalling, hijacked stem cells and the power of 'mini-guts' – we hear from Dr Vivian Li on the challenges and opportunities of developing colorectal cancer treatments.

by Phil Prime | In depth | 11 February 2022

11 February 2022