Our publications
Our full range of health information publications are free to download. Following a review of our materials, our most popular booklets are available to order for free in printed copies.
Read our FAQs on how to order our printed resources.
Diagnosis and treatment
These resources are for people who have been diagnosed with bowel cancer and are going through treatment.
Your pathway
An in-depth booklet for bowel cancer patients starting treatment, including cancer staging, treatment flow charts for colon and rectal cancer, information on surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy drugs, as well as plenty of patient stories.
This resource is available in English and Cymraeg (Welsh) to download and order in printed copy.
Your operation
This booklet describes the different types of bowel cancer surgery and explains what will happen before, during and after your operation. We also explain what a stoma is and why some people have them. There are also useful tips on preparing for a hospital stay and recovering at home.
This resource is available to download and order in printed copy.
Eating well
This booklet provides information about your diet can affect and improve your symptoms during and after bowel cancer treatment. We explain how different foods can help you manage the symptoms of bowel cancer and provide tips for eating with a stoma, boosting your appetite and eating healthily.
This resource is available in English and Cymraeg (Welsh) to download and order in printed copy.
Treating advanced bowel cancer
This booklet is for anyone diagnosed with bowel cancer that has spread from the bowel to other parts of the body. It provides an overview of treatment options, dealing with your emotions and maintaining a good quality of life.
This resource is available to download and order in printed copy.
Younger people with bowel cancer
This booklet provides an introduction to how a diagnosis of bowel cancer at a younger age can affect the body, emotions, relationships and everyday life.
This resource is available to download and order in printed copy.
About colonic stenting
A concise factsheet providing information about having a colonic stent fitted, the benefits and possible risks, and how to manage any changes in your bowel habit.
This resource is available to download.
About robotic-assisted surgery
A concise factsheet explaining what robotic-assisted surgery is, how to prepare for your operation and what you can expect afterwards.
This resource is available to download.
Food and symptoms diary
This diary to record your food and symptoms may help you find out which foods you react to. Include the amount of food you eat as well as how long any reactions last.
This resource is available to download.
Questions to ask after your diagnosis
If you've been diagnosed with bowel cancer, it may be helpful to ask these questions at your next meeting.
This resource is available to download.
Questions to ask when meeting your specialist team
Asking these questions may help you understand more when meeting your specialist team.
This resource is available to download.
Questions to ask about your treatment options
It might be useful to ask these questions to your doctor, specialist or nurse when deciding on your treatment options.
This resource is available to download.
After treatment
These resources are for people who have had treatment for bowel cancer.
Living well
Information and advice for patients on life after bowel cancer treatment, including feelings after treatment, having a healthy diet and keeping active, possible worries around follow up appointments, dealing with side effects and going back to work.
This resource is available to download.
Regaining bowel control
Regaining bowel control can be one of the biggest challenges that you face after surgery for bowel cancer. In this booklet we explain approaches you can take and the support available to you.
This resource is available in English to download and order in printed copy and in Cymraeg (Welsh) to download.
Stoma reversal
A factsheet with information about what a stoma reversal is, the possible risks and how to manage side effects afterwards.
This resource is available to download.
Raise awareness of bowel cancer
These resources have information about reducing your risk of bowel cancer, the symptoms of the disease, and the screening programme.
The facts about bowel cancer
This credit card sized leaflet summarises the facts about bowel cancer, what symptoms to look out for and how to reduce your risk. They're available in English and Welsh.
This resource is available to download and order in printed copy.
Knowing the symptoms (poster)
An A4 poster which highlights the common symptoms of bowel cancer.
This resource is available to download and order in printed copy.
Symptoms diary
The symptoms diary, pioneered by Beth Purvis, supported by Coloplast and formally endorsed by the Royal College of GPs, aims to help keep track of a person’s symptoms before they visit their GP. This will give a good indication to their doctor whether they need further tests. Patients may not remember all their symptoms during the short appointment so having something written down can be useful.
This resource is available in English to download and order in printed copy and in Cymraeg (Welsh) to download.
Simple steps for good bowel health
An A5 booklet to help you understand the steps you can take for good bowel health and to reduce your risk of bowel cancer.
This resource is available in English to download and order in printed copy and in Cymraeg (Welsh) to download.
Bowel cancer screening in England (poster)
A poster highlighting the bowel cancer screening programme in England.
This resource is available to download and order in printed copy.
Bowel cancer screening in Scotland (poster)
A poster highlighting the bowel cancer screening programme in Scotland.
This resource is available to download and order in printed copy.
Bowel cancer screening in Wales (poster)
A poster highlighting the bowel cancer screening programme in Wales.
This resource is available to download and order in printed copy.
Bowel cancer screening in Northern Ireland (poster)
A poster highlighting the bowel cancer screening programme in NI.
This resource is available to download and order in printed copy.
About Bowel Cancer UK
How we can help you
A leaflet highlighting the different support services we have available.
This resource is available to download and order in printed copy.
Merck, Amgen Limited and Seagen have contributed a grant/donation towards the cost of design, print and distribution of patient information materials available on this page with no influence on their content.
We produce high quality, accurate and up to date information by using the latest evidence from research and clinical guidelines. Find out more about how we produce information here. Please contact us on publications@bowelcanceruk.org.uk if you have any feedback or are interested in reviewing our publications.
We're accredited as a Trusted Information Creator by the Patient Information Forum. This means the way we write our resources has been independently assessed as health information you can trust.