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What is bowel cancer?

Diagram of the tummy area with labels showing the small bowel, large bowel and rectum. The large bowel and rectum are highlighted to show they can be affected by bowel cancer.
  • Bowel cancer is cancer that's found anywhere in the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum.
  • The large bowel is part of your digestive system. It helps absorb water from your food and removes food waste from your body.
  • How serious bowel cancer is depends on how big the cancer is, if the cancer has spread, and your general health.
  • Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK.
  • Bowel cancer screening can pick up bowel cancer early, which may mean it's easier to treat.

Page last reviewed: 9 March 2023
Next review due: 9 March 2026