Our publications

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.

Your operation

Information on the different types of surgery that may be performed on bowel cancer patients and an introduction to stomas. There are also useful tips on preparing for a hospital stay and recovering at home.

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.

Simple steps for good bowel health

A popular A5 booklet to help you understand the steps you can take for good bowel health and to reduce your risk of bowel cancer.

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. 

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.

Eating well

This booklet provides information about your diet 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. 

What is bowel cancer?

A simple A5 sized leaflet outlining what bowel cancer is, who's at risk and what symptoms to look out for. 

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.

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.

Treating Metastases

A detailed guide for bowel cancer patients who have secondary cancer in the liver, lungs or peritoneum. It covers the tests you may undergo, traditional and novel treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical, and clinical trials.

Please note this publication is currently under review.

Easy read publications

We have produced two easy read guides about bowel cancer and the screening programme. We also have a guide for carers of people who use easy read materials. 

Bowel cancer screening in England

A guide to the bowel cancer screening in England

Bowel cancer screening in Scotland

A guide to the Scottish Bowel Cancer Screening Programme

Bowel cancer screening in Wales / Sgrinio am ganser y coluddyn

A guide to bowel screening in Wales. Available in English and Welsh.

Knowing the symptoms (poster)

An A4 poster which highlights the five possible symptoms of bowel cancer. 

How we can help you (poster and flyer)

An A4 poster and A5 flyer highlighting the different support services available from Bowel Cancer UK.

The facts about bowel cancer

This credit card sized leaflet summarises the facts about bowel cancer, what to look out for and how to reduce your risk. The discrete credit card size is ideal for awareness-raising events and reception areas. They are available for each nation within the UK

Spotlight - Spring 2020

Featuring real life stories as well as the latest news and research updates.

Spotlight - Summer 2019

Featuring real life stories as well as the latest news and research updates.

Spotlight - Winter 2018

Featuring real life stories as well as the latest news and research updates.