Colorectal disease

Colorectal disease is a broad term covering conditions that affect the colon and rectum, ranging from relatively minor and common problems such as small bowel polyps and diverticular disease, through to more serious conditions including inflammatory bowel disease and bowel cancer. Because so many different conditions fall under this heading, symptoms can vary considerably from one patient to another, and some conditions, particularly in their early stages, may cause very few noticeable signs at all. This is why persistent changes in bowel habit, unexplained rectal bleeding, ongoing abdominal pain or unexpected weight loss should always be properly investigated rather than dismissed, regardless of age. Early and accurate diagnosis, usually through colonoscopy or imaging, allows the right treatment pathway to be identified quickly, and for many colorectal conditions, earlier detection significantly improves the range of options available.