Living with bowel cancer
A diagnosis of bowel cancer can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Everyone reacts differently, but it’s normal to have a range of feelings or emotions. The treatment can cause changes in your body which can affect how you feel in yourself.
There is physical, practical and emotional support available to help you cope during and after treatment.
You might have a number of different feelings when you're told you have cancer.
You may feel a range of powerful emotions at first such as feeling shocked, upset and find it difficult to take in anything else that is being said to you. Other emotions include feeling:
numb
frightened and uncertain
confused
angry and resentful
guilty
sad
You may have some or all of these feelings. Or you might feel totally different. You may feel them a few at a time or altogether, leaving you feeling exhausted.
Everyone reacts in their own way. Sometimes it's hard to take in the fact that you have cancer at all. You need to do what’s right for you to help you cope.
You may be more able to cope and make decisions if you have information about your type of cancer and its treatment. Information helps you to know what to expect. Your healthcare team can help you find sources of information that are well researched and reliable.
Taking in information can be difficult, especially when you have just been diagnosed or given news about your outlook. Make a list of questions before you see your doctor. Take someone with you to remind you what you want to ask. They can also help you to remember the information that was given. Getting a lot of new information can feel overwhelming.
Ask your doctors and specialist nurses to explain things again if you need them to.
You might feel that you don’t want to know much information straight away. Tell your doctor or nurse. You will always be able to ask for more information when you feel ready.
Remember that you don’t have to sort everything out at once. It might take some time to deal with each issue. Ask for help if you need it.
You can also do practical things such as:
making lists to help you
having a calendar with all appointments
having goals
planning enjoyable things around weeks that might be emotionally difficult for you
You may feel quite isolated and find it difficult to talk to people. It is normal to feel embarrassed about having cancer of the bowel or rectum at first. Our bowels and going to the toilet are very private matters for many people. But the staff at the hospital or clinic are very used to talking about these things and so you don't need to feel embarrassed. It is up to you who you tell and who you decide to talk to.
Talking to your friends and relatives about your cancer can help and support you. But some people are scared of the emotions this could bring up and won’t want to talk. They might worry that you won't be able to cope with your situation or be afraid they will say the wrong thing.
It can strain relationships if your family or friends don't want to talk. But talking can help increase trust and support between you and them.
Help your family and friends by letting them know if you would like to talk about what’s happening and how you feel.
Find out ways to help manage your emotions
You might find it easier to talk to someone other than your own friends and family.
Or you may want to see a counsellor.
Ask your nurse specialist or treatment team about local counselling services. We also have information on counselling and cancer.
Find out about counselling and cancer
Specialist nurses can help you if you’re finding it difficult to cope or if you have any problems. They can get you the help you need. They can also give you information about your cancer.
Dietitians can help you with any eating problems you have.
Stoma nurses can give advice and support with your stoma.
Find out more about bowel cancer support organisations
Bowel cancer and its treatment might cause physical changes in your body. These changes can be very difficult to cope with and may affect the way you feel about yourself.
Surgery for bowel cancer can cause scarring. Your tummy (abdomen) might not look the same as before. It can be especially difficult if you have a colostomy or ileostomy. You'll need support to help you learn how to deal with it.
Find out more about having a stoma
Your treatment for bowel cancer may be surgery on it’s own. Or you might have other treatments too such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
You might have changes to the way your bowel works after treatment. What these changes are depend on what type of surgery you had and if you had other treatment too. Some people have loose poo or diarrhoea for some time. Other people have diarrhoea alternating with constipation. Your treatment team can advise you on managing any changes in your bowel habits.
Find out more about bowel changes after treatment
You may find that your appetite or taste changes after treatment. Surgery for bowel cancer can lead to changes to how your bowel works. Diet can help manage these changes. Ask your specialist nurse for advice.
Find out about eating and bowel cancer
Another problem you may have to cope with is feeling very tired and lacking in energy a lot of the time, especially for a while after treatment or if your cancer has spread.
It can feel embarrassing discussing intimacy problems with your treatment team. But it’s important to talk to your specialist nurse, doctor or surgeon about any problems you are having. They are used to talking about these types of issues.
The physical changes you have can affect your relationships and sex life. There are things that your team can support you with.
You and your family might need to cope with practical things including:
money matters
financial support, such as benefits, sick pay, prescription costs and grants
work issues
early retirement
childcare
Blue Badge applications
help with travel costs
changes to your house
Talk to your doctor or specialist nurse to find out who can help. You might be able to get some benefits for yourself and the person caring for you. You might also be able to get grants for heating costs, holidays and other household expenses related to your illness.
Getting help early with these things can mean that they don’t become a big issue later. It may be helpful to see a social worker. Many hospitals have a social worker available for people with cancer.
Read more about the practical support that is available to you
In this video Paul shares his story of life after bowel cancer. He and his friend from rugby, Dave, talk about what it was like going to appointments, going back to work once treatment had finished and how rugby helped him through.
Last reviewed: 28 Mar 2025
Next review due: 28 Mar 2028
Bowel cancer is also called colorectal cancer. It affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum.
Living with bowel (colorectal) cancer may mean you have changes to your diet, sex life or body image. There is support to help you cope.
Metastatic bowel cancer is cancer that has spread from the back passage (rectum) and large intestines (colon) to other parts of the body, such as the liver.
Whether you are someone with cancer or a carer for someone with cancer, we want you to know that it is common to struggle with your mental health when dealing with a cancer diagnosis. But there are people who can support you during this time and things you can do to help yourself.
Exercise is safe, possible and helpful for many people with cancer or who have finished cancer treatment. Becoming more active can help you feel stronger, more energised, and more confident in your body again.
Bowel cancer means cancer that starts in the colon (large bowel) or back passage (rectum). It is also known as colorectal cancer.
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