Bowel cancer is also known as colon, rectal or colorectal cancer. The lining of the bowel is made up of cells that are constantly being renewed. Sometimes these cells grow too quickly, forming a clump of cells, known as a bowel polyp. Polyps are not bowel cancers but they can develop into cancer over a number of years. Bowel cancer can develop in any part of the large bowel, including the colon and rectum.

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal (malignant) cells grow out of proportion and results in a lump or tumor. They may invade the local tissues and spread (metastasize). There is an alteration (mutation) in the genes that control normal cell growth and death (either hereditary or due to environmental/acquired factors). Thus abnormal/cancer cells get out of control of the cell regulatory mechanisms and keep on dividing and do not die, resulting in a tumor.

No, even though a gene mutation may be present, you are not at 100% risk for developing cancer. An individual with a BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 alteration is more likely to develop cancer than an individual without an alteration. However, not every individual who has a BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 alteration will develop cancer, because genes are not the only factor affecting cancer risk.

Cancers are rare in small polyps (less than 1 cm. or 1/4 inch). 50% of polyps greater than 2 cm. in size are cancerous. Fortunately, 70% of polyps discovered on a routine colonoscopy are less than 1 cm. in size- It takes about 10 years for a cancer to develop into a benign polyp.

Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK. The biggest single risk factor for bowel cancer is age, and eight out of ten people who get bowel cancer are over the age of 60. Diet, lifestyle and family history can also affect a person's chances of developing bowel cancer. Anyone concerned about their health, or their risk of developing bowel cancer, should contact their GP.

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Can inflammatory bowel disease cause colon cancer? The short answer is yes. People who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk for colon cancer because the tissue of the colon is inflamed for a long period of time. Most colon cancer occurs in people with no family history of the disease. But, colon cancer can run in the family. Whether you're at increased risk depends on which family member was diagnosed and at what age.

In 2005, the American Cancer Society estimates that 211,240 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. About 40,410 women will die from the disease this year.

Once a cell has transformed into a cancerous state, it begins to divide and multiply. In most cancers, these cells form a lump, or tumour, that can invade surrounding tissue. The tumour puts pressure on healthy cells around it, and may also secrete enzymes to break down that tissue. By the time a tumour is detected, it will contain billions of cells.

The bowels are the intestines, consisting of the small intestine (the section between the stomach and the appendix) and the large intestine (from the appendix to the anus). The large intestine is divided into the long colon and a short rectum, just before the anus. Two thirds of bowel cancers occur in the colon and one third in the rectum, with very few in the small intestine.

The programme is being phased in across England. The first invitations were sent out in July 2006. Men and women aged 60 to 69, and registered with a GP, will be offered an FOB test every two years. Those aged 70 and over will not be invited automatically, but are encouraged to request a test kit. Anyone concerned about their health, or their risk of developing bowel cancer, should contact their GP.

Men and women aged 60 to 69, and registered with a GP, will be automatically offered an FOB test every two years. Those aged 70 and over will not be invited automatically but are encouraged to request a test kit.

A.Several studies have found that coffee consumption is related to a lower risk of bowel cancer. According to one study in Canada, the risk reduced as coffee drinking rose to five cups a day (especially evident in men) (3). Another group of studies noted there was a 28% reduction in the risk of developing cancer of the lower bowel for those drinking four or more cups of coffee daily as compared to those drinking less than one cup (4).

A. Not necessarily. Genetic cancers only account for around a total of 6% of all cancers. If you have a strong family history of bowel cancer, it may be advisable to see your GP for referral to a family screening centre. Click here for a list of support groups.

Once cervical cells begin to change, it typically takes 10-15 years before invasive cervical cancer develops. As the cells change, they first become "pre-cancerous" - a condition also known as "dysplasia" or CIN - the abbreviation for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. If detected early, dysplasia can be treated before the cells become cancerous. See the discussion of dysplasia on this Web site

Not necessarily. Blood in the stool appears as a result of a fissure which is a tear, mild to severe, in the rectal wall. These usually are not serious and when your bowels get regulated, the fissure will heal and the blood will disappear. As always, consult your doctor if the condition persists.

Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK. Research has shown that screening men and women for bowel cancer using a guaiac based Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) test can reduce the mortality rate from bowel cancer by 16 per cent in those invited for screening . The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is being phased in following the results of successful pilot studies in Coventry, North Warwickshire and Scotland.

Research has shown that screening men and women for bowel cancer using Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) testing can reduce the mortality rate from bowel cancer by 16 per cent in those invited for screening. Nationally, screening for bowel cancer could save hundreds of lives a year.

The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is being phased in over three years, which started in July 2006. There are currently 21 Screening Centres. Eventually there will be approximately 90 -100 screening centres across the country administered from five regional programme hubs.

Yes. IBD can increase the chances of cancer of the intestine by as much as five times. Even so, more than 90 percent of people who have IBD do NOT get cancer.

What we know about colon cancer and IBD comes mostly from studying people with UC. Less research has been done on the link between CD and cancer, but the few studies that have been done suggest the risk for cancer in people with CD is similar to the risk in those with UC. Even so, the things that affect the risk of cancer seem to be similar for both types of IBD. Also, people who have family members with colon cancer may have an even higher chance of getting the cancer.

Yes. People with IBD should talk to their doctors about when to begin checking for colon cancer, what tests to get, and how often to have them. Your doctor's suggestions will depend on how long you have had IBD and how severe it is. In people who have had IBD for 8 to 10 years, most doctors recommend a colonoscopy with biopsies every 1 to 2 years. This test checks for early warning signs of cancer in the cells of the colon lining. When cancer is found early, it is easier to cure and treat.

Answer: No. Ninety percent of women have fibrocystic changes yet only 13% of women develop breast cancer. Fibrocystic changes are considered the normal condition of the breast and therefore not predisposing to breast cancer.

The beginning of Vitiligo and the severity of pigment loss differs with each patient. Light skinned people usually notice the pigment loss during the summer as the contrast between the vitiliginous skin and the suntanned skin becomes distinct. People with dark skin may observe the onset of Vitiligo at any time. Individuals who have severe cases will lose pigment over their entire body surface.

The origin of SI is usually difficult to determine or understand. Many people are unable to remember where they first got the idea of hurting themselves, and when they actually began to SI. But a small number of people develop SI through observational learning(a process where a person learns a behavior by watching someone else do it). The chances of most people actually seeing another person SI are very slim, but in places such as psychiatric hospitals and prisons the odds are much higher.

You can have acne on any part of your skin where sebaceous glands are found. These are the glands that produce oil for the skin. Most, but not all people get acne on their face, but the skin on the chest and back can also be affected. Acne can also be seen on the arms and thighs, but it's much less common.