The bowel is the long ‘tube’ that absorbs water and nutrients from food and processes waste products into faeces. It includes the small bowel, colon and rectum.

Bowel cancer mostly affects people over 50 years of age.  Bowel cancer usually begins in the lining of the colon or rectum. If untreated it spreads deeper into the wall of the bowel. From there, it can spread to the liver or lungs.

It is not unusual to have bowel cancer and not know about it. Hence, bowel cancer screening is very useful for men and women over 50 years.

Click here to find out more about Bowel Cancer Screening or go to: http://www.cancerscreening.gov.au/internet/screening/publishing.nsf/Content/bw-facts