Family history

If anyone in the family has had polyps then there is a possibility that you also may have polyps. These can occasionally become cancerous and so should be checked under anaesthetic by colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is where you are given special medication to clear the bowel and then the bowel is inspected with the flexible telescope.

Constipation

Both bowel cancer and diverticular disease are caused by food that is low in fibre. This then means that you are usually constipated and the waste products remain within the bowel for some time. These can then irritate the bowel and make you pre disposed to bowel cancer.