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Links to further information:
http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-topics/bowel-cancer/

Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer occurs when the cells in some part of the bowel grow abnormally and form a lump or tumour. Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers among both men and women in New Zealand. Bowel cancer is named according to where it is found: for example, cancer of the colon, cancer of the rectum or colorectal cancer. The most common site is the large bowel with cancer in the small bowel being less common.

Key Points:

1. Scientists are still unsure about the causes of bowel cancer, which usually starts as a benign (not cancerous) polyp that becomes cancerous.
2. Lifestyle factors may increase the risk of developing bowel cancer.
3. Bowel cancer can be diagnosed with a number of different tests, which include a physical examination, blood tests, various procedures to inspect the bowel, and x-ray techniques.
4. In New Zealand, a bowel cancer screening programme is in the early stages of development.

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