Almost a third (30%) of bowel cancer cases in England are diagnosed via the ‘two-week wait’ referral route.[1] More than 4 in 10 (44%) of these cases with known stage are diagnosed early (stage I or II).[2]
Around a quarter (24%) of bowel cancer cases in England are diagnosed after presenting as an emergency.[1] Around 7 in 10 (68%) of these cases with known stage are diagnosed late (stages III or IV).[2] Around two thirds (66%) of emergency presentation cases are via Accident and Emergency (A&E), with the other cases coming via an emergency GP referral, inpatient referral or outpatient referral.[3]
There are variations in routes to diagnosis by sex, age, deprivation and ethnicity.[4]
Around a quarter (24%) of bowel cancers cases in England are diagnosed following a routine or urgent GP referral (but not under the ‘two-week wait’ referral route).[1] Around half (49%) of these cases with known stage are diagnosed early (stage I or II).[2]
A tenth (10%) of bowel cancer cases in England are diagnosed by screening.[1] Almost two thirds (63%) of these cases with known stage are diagnosed early (stage I or II).[2]
Bowel Cancer (C18-C20), Percentage of Cases by Route to Diagnosis, Adults Aged 15-99, England, 2012-2013
Bowel Cancer (C18-C20), Percentage of Cases by Stage for each Route to Diagnosis, Adults Aged (15-99), England, 2012-2013
References
- National Cancer Intelligence Network. Routes to Diagnosis 2006-2013 workbook (a). London: NCIN; 2015.
- National Cancer Intelligence Network and Cancer Research UK. Routes to diagnosis of cancer by stage, 2012-2013 workbook. London: NCIN; 2016.
- National Cancer Intelligence Network. Routes to diagnosis 2006-2013 workbook (b). London: NCIN; 2016.
- National Cancer Intelligence Network. Routes to diagnosis Site Specific Data Briefings 2006-2013. London: NCIN; 2016.
About this data
Data is for England, 2012-2013, ICD-10 C18-C20