Bowel Cancer Australia
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Overview
You may have tests for bowel cancer because of symptoms, a strong family history or receiving a positive result from the screening test for bowel cancer.
To diagnose bowel cancer, your doctor will arrange tests such as blood samples, a colonoscopy, scans or biopsy. The test results also help show how large the cancer is and whether it has spread. This is called staging.
What's on this page
Screening for bowel cancer
Screening is the process of looking for cancer or abnormalities that could lead to cancer in people who do not have any symptoms. Screening is particularly important for bowel cancer, which often has no symptoms in its early stages.
Tests for bowel cancer
If your doctor suspects you have bowel cancer, you may have tests such as blood samples, checking your poo, colonoscopy, polypectomy or biopsy.
Some tests may be repeated during or after treatment to check how well treatment is working. It may take up to a week to get your test results.
If waiting for test results makes you feel anxious, it may help to talk to a friend or family member, or call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 for support.
General tests
Your doctor may refer you for general tests such as a physical examination, blood tests or checking your poo for signs of blood.Colonoscopies
A colonoscopy is the main test to look for bowel cancer. It lets your doctor look at the lining of the entire large bowel. During a colonoscopy, you may also have a polypectomy or biopsy.Other tests
Some less common tests include CT colonography or flexible sigmoidoscopy. After bowel cancer is discovered you may have CEA blood tests, CT scans, MRI scans or PET-CE scans.Preparing your bowel for tests
Before some tests you may have to empty your bowel or make changes to your diet. Read more about what your doctor may ask you to do.Staging and prognosis
Bowel cancer tests help show whether you have bowel cancer and whether it has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. This is known as staging and it helps your health care team advise you on the best treatment options.
Prognosis means the expected outcome of a disease. You may wish to discuss your prognosis and treatment options with your doctor, but it is not possible for anyone to predict the exact course of the disease.
Relevant support
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
Australian Government
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Cancer screening
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