Colorectal Cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon (large intestine) or rectum. It usually begins as small growths of cells called polyps that develop on the inner lining of the colon, which is the last part of the digestive system that breaks down food. 

There are often no symptoms of Colorectal Cancer during its early stages. When symptoms do occur, they will vary according to the location and size of the cancer. Symptoms may include prolonged changes in your bowel habits (including diarrhoea/constipation or changes in stool shapes), persistent abdominal pain, rectal bleeding/blood in your stool and unexplained weight loss or change in appetite. 

Colorectal Cancer affects men and women, young and old. The risk of developing Colorectal Cancer rises sharply and progressively from age 50, but the number of Australians under age 50 diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer has been increasing steadily. That’s why it’s important to know the symptoms of bowel cancer and have them investigated if they persist for more than two weeks.¹

There are a number of ways to investigate symptoms and confirm a diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer. These include simple tests to look for early signs of cancer before it has developed or before any symptoms emerge such as a stool or blood test. Other tests to identify cancerous polyps can include Capsule Endoscopy or colonoscopy which can now be supplemented by artificial intelligence (AI). Discuss with your doctor to find out which diagnostic options are suitable for you. 

There are different types of treatment for patients with colorectal cancer, depending on where the cancer is located within the colon or rectum. While surgery is the most common treatment for removing the cancer from your colon, some people may also require chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to reduce the size of the tumour and prevent progression of the disease. Each case is individual and your doctor will discuss the options with you. 

For many people with Colorectal Cancer, treatment can remove or destroy the cancer. For other people, Colorectal Cancer may never go away completely. Some people may get regular treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other treatments to try to control the cancer for as long as possible. You may wish to discuss a follow-up plan with your doctor if you are undergoing treatment for Colorectal Cancer. 

You may require surgery to treat your Colorectal Cancer. The type of surgery you have will depend on the position of the cancer in the bowel and your preferences. The aim of surgery is to remove the area of the bowel with the cancer and the nearby lymph nodes. The most common type of surgery for Colorectal Cancer is a colectomy (removal of a part of the colon). Each case is different and your doctor will discuss the different types of surgery with you. 

Capsule Endoscopy is a non-invasive procedure used to diagnose and monitor various conditions in your digestive tract. The procedure involves swallowing a small capsule, which is the same size as a large vitamin. Inside the capsule is a tiny camera that takes pictures as it travels through your digestive system. All medical procedures have benefits and risks which should be discussed with your doctor.

The Capsule Endoscopy camera takes thousands of photos as it passes through your digestive tract. The images are then transmitted to a recording device worn on a belt around your waist and analysed by your doctor. Special software creates a video for your doctor to watch and look for unusual areas within your digestive tract.

Before your Capsule Endoscopy, a member of your health care team will give you steps to follow to prepare your bowel for the procedure that will include fasting or taking laxatives. Once the recorder is connected and ready, you swallow the camera capsule with water. You can then leave the health care facility and go about your day as normal. The Capsule Endoscopy procedure is usually complete by the end of the day or when you see the capsule in the toilet after a bowel movement.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is defined as a wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.² AI can be of assistance to health care professionals. In the case of colonoscopy, AI is an additional tool to a standard colonoscopy procedure to aid doctors by increasing the number of automatically detected polyps, which can be precancerous growths and may otherwise be missed during a colonoscopy.^3,4 All medical procedures have benefits and risks which should be discussed with your doctor.

A colonoscopy looks at the entire length of the colon and rectum with a colonoscope, a flexible tube about the width of a finger with a light and small video camera on the end. While your doctor is looking at the inside of your bowel, the artificial intelligence system acts as a vigilant second observer³ and scans the colonoscopy video, drawing small boxes around polyps that might otherwise get overlooked.  

Follow your doctor’s exact instructions on how to prepare your bowel for colonoscopy. This usually involves keeping hydrated and consuming only clear liquids, such as broth or black tea/coffee, for at least one whole day before your procedure. A colonoscopy procedure usually lasts around 30 minutes and is typically performed under anaesthetic combined with pain medication. You should arrange for someone to take you home following the procedure.