Bowel Cancer - J.M.A.

Bowel cancer is the second most common malignant cause of death in the Western world, partly due to low public awareness of the symptoms and of the possibility of cure if the disease is treated early. For this reason, and because the quality of life that most patients can expect following treatment has greatly improved, this book aims to give the general reader detailed and clear information about the disease.;Bowel cancer can be prevented by recognition and careful surveillance of those at high risk, and some early cancer patients can be cured as out-patients. More is being learnt about the causes and natural history of bowel cancer; constituents of the "Western" diet have been identified which may well play a part in the development of the disease. There are now ways of diagnosing bowel cancer before symptoms have developed, and new forms of treatment can supplement the effects of surgery.;The authors give an account of the present picture and also hope to remove the taboo which surrounds discussion of bowel cancer. The ensuing improved public awareness of the condition should improve the outlook for patients.