H EALTH & FITNESS
“Treatment for bowel cancer may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery (often keyhole surgery)”
you might have a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, which are procedures that use a tube with a light and camera at the end to examine your bowel. These procedures are carried out in a hospital. For people aged 60 to 74, the NHS offers a particular type of bowel cancer screening test called a faecal occult blood (FOB) test, every two years. King Edward VII’s Hospital also offers FIT testing, a newer, more advanced type of screening for bowel cancer that can be carried out at home.
Hospital are training more and more surgeons to carry out surgery in this way. And advancements in imaging will help us to pinpoint the exact location of the cancer, so we can be even more precise with the surgery. Ideally, we will also get to a point where we are diagnosing bowel cancer earlier, so in many cases surgery will not be needed. To help diagnose cancer earlier, it’s really important to be aware of what’s normal for you, and to seek help if you’re worried.
How is bowel cancer treated? JK: Treatment for bowel cancer may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery (often keyhole surgery). Using robotic surgery can improve surgical precision and limit surgical trauma. It is very safe and can ultimately lead to a faster recovery, less time in hospital and reduce the risk of complications after surgery.
Is it still possible to get medical help during lockdown? DM: If you have symptoms that you’re worried about, it’s important to still seek help. Lots of doctors are now conducting appointments over the phone or over video call, so it might be possible to reassure you without having to go to a GP surgery or hospital in person. If a physical examination is necessary, medical staff have taken every precaution to keep patients safe. There might be some new rules to follow when you attend your appointment, so make sure you read any letters or correspondence carefully.
What’s the future of treatment? CE: I expect that in the future more and more procedures will be carried out by robot-assisted surgery, I and the team at King Edward VII’s 2 2 8 M AY 2 0 2 1
