The bowel is divided into two parts, the small and large bowel.
Most cancers develop in the large bowel, which is also known as the colon and rectum.
Once food has been swallowed it passes down the oesophagus to the stomach and into the small bowel.
As food passes through the small bowel it is digested and essential nutrients are taken into the body.
The digested food then enters the large bowel and water is absorbed.
The remaining waste matter, known as stool or faeces, is held in the rectum (back passage) until it is ready to be passed from the body as a bowel motion.
