Bowel Cancer
| Causes & symptoms | The Diagnosis | Questions |  |
The Treatment
Surgery
Surgery is the main treatment for cancer of the large bowel.
The most appropriate type of surgery will depend on the size and spread of the cancer.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy treats cancer by using high energy rays which destroy the cancer cells while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells.
Radiotherapy is used before or after the surgery to treat cancer of the colon and rectum.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of special anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells.
They work by disrupting the growth of cancer cells.
This treatment is used for most people after the surgery to decrease the chances of cancer coming back.
The drugs are sometimes given as tablets or, more usually, intravenously (by injection into a vein).
Side Effects
Both radiotherapy and chemotherapy may cause side effects, which may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and sometimes hair loss, mouth sores and small ulcers.
Tips for Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy
It is important to drink plenty of fluids and maintain a healthy diet during treatments.
If you don't feel like eating you could try supplementing your meals with high calorie drinks, which you can buy from most chemists.
Treatment can make you feel tired so try and get as much rest as you can.
If you lose your hair it will grow back surprisingly quickly. Many people wear wigs, hats or scarves.
Regular mouthwashes are important and the nurse will show you how to do these properly.
Radiotherapy does not make you radioactive and it is perfectly safe for you to be with other people, including children, throughout your treatment.
