Our publications
Our full range of health information publications are available to download below. Printed copies of many of our publications are also available to order for free.
We’re accredited by The Information Standard, a certification programme for organisations that produce evidence-based health and care information for the public. Find out more about how we produce information here.
Merck has contributed with a grant to the cost of design, print and distribution of patient information materials available on this page with no influence on their content.
Booklets and factsheets
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.
Questions to ask at your appointments
A range of question sheets for you take to your appointments to make sure you get the information you need from your healthcare team. These sheets could give you an idea of what to think about and help you get more information from your meetings.
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 programme guides
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.
Posters and flyers
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 - Bowel Cancer UK's magazine
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.
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 feedback@bowelcanceruk.org.uk if you have any feedback or are interested in reviewing our publications