USING invasive biopsies to diagnose bowel cancer could be scrapped as researchers have found a way to check for the disease.
Scientists from Glasgow said imaging technology, which is safer and more accurate than a biopsy, can be used instead.
Biopsies require an invasive procedure with many health risks, such as infection, and are limited in what they can capture within a patient’s bowel.
However, experts working with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) found that Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging can allow the entire bowel to be examined and for tumours to be studied inside the body instead of examining the tumour tissue once it has been removed.
PET scans create a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body, and researchers believe doing several scans during treatment could help monitor the disease more effectively.
Dr David Lewis, of the CRUK Scotland Institute and the University of Glasgow, who led the research, said: “Precision medicine has the potential to revolutionise cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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“However, the development of accurate, informative and patient-friendly diagnostic techniques is crucial for its success.
“PET imaging offers a promising alternative, with the ability to survey the entire cancer landscape, allowing us to examine tumours in more detail while they are still growing.”
Bowel cancer is now the third most common cancer in Britain, with 41,596 Brits diagnosed in 2021.
It is the UK’s second deadliest cancer, claiming 16,000 lives each year.
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The Scottish research team used existing genetic data on bowel cancer to identify different tumour characteristics using PET imaging.
They were also able to discover several different types of bowel cancer in mice based on their genes.
Dr Catherine Elliott, director of research at Cancer Research UK, said: “These findings by the team at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and University of Glasgow offer an exciting opportunity to revolutionise the way we diagnose and monitor bowel cancer without invasive surgery, reducing the risk and improving outcomes for patients.
“PET imaging is a crucial tool in our future approach to diagnosing this disease, which affects so many people in Scotland.”
Bowel cancer rates rising
The health service has said raised awareness of the disease, helped by campaigners such as late Sun writer Dame Deborah James, has increased bowel diagnosis.
NHS figures show that bowel cancer cases are rising faster than cancer overall, with a 10.4 per cent increase between 2019 and 2021. Total cancer cases increased by just one per cent.
Rates in under-50s — who are normally less likely to get the disease — are also on the up.
However, nine in 10 patients survive it if diagnosed at the earliest stage, according to Bowel Cancer UK.
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Record numbers of people have been getting tested for bowel disease, in part because of high-profile cases, including Dame Debs, who died aged just 40 in June 2022.
The Sun writer campaigned for years after being diagnosed in 2016 and encouraged Brits to “check your poo” for signs of the disease.
The signs of bowel cancer you need to know – remember BOWEL
1. B:Bleeding
There are several possible causes of bleeding from your bottom, of blood in your poo.
Bright red blood could come from swollen blood vessels, haemorrhoids or piles, in your back passage.
Dark red or black blood could come from your bowel or stomach.
Blood in your stools is one of the key signs of bowel cancer, so it’s important to mention it to your doctor so they can investigate.
2. O: Obvious change in loo habits
It’s important to tell your GP if you have noticed any changes in your bowel habits, that lasts three weeks or longer.
It’s especially important if you have also noticed signs of blood in your poo.
You might notice you need to go to the loo more often, you might have looser stools or feel like you’re not going enough or fully emptying your bowels.
Don’t be embarrassed, your GP will have heard a lot worse! Speak up and get it checked.
3. W: Weight loss
This is less common than the other symptoms, but an important one to be aware of. If you’ve lost weight and don’t really know why, it’s worth mentioning to your GP.
You may not feel like eating, feel sick, bloated and not hungry.
4. E: Extreme tiredness
Bowel cancer that causes bleeding can cause a lack of iron in the body – anaemia. If you develop anaemia you’re likely to feel tired and your skin might look pale.
5. L: Lump or pain
As with lots of other forms of cancer, a lump or pain can be a sign of bowel cancer.
It’s most likely you’ll notice a pain or lump in your stomach or back passage.
See your GP if it doesn’t go away, or if it affects how you eat or sleep
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Isabel Shaw
