Diagnosis and management of colorectal cancer

The bowel screening standards have been updated in August 2023 and are now available to download from the Healthcare Improvement Scotland website.

In the past decade there has been a decreased incidence of colorectal cancer and a decrease in mortality. There is, however, evidence that excess body weight, lack of exercise and alcohol intake are risk factors for colorectal cancer.

Remit and target users

This guideline covers diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. It summarises the evidence and, where appropriate, provides evidence-based recommendations around: prevention and screening; genetics; referral; diagnosis; surgery; pathology; chemotherapy and radiotherapy; and follow up.

This guideline will be of particular interest to members of the multidisciplinary team treating patients with colorectal cancer (surgeons, oncologists, pathologists, radiologists and nurses), as well as gastroenterologists, general practitioners, patients and their carers.

How this guideline was developed

This guideline was developed using a standard methodology based on a systematic review of the evidence. Further details can be found in SIGN 50: A Guideline Developer’s Handbook.

Keeping up to date

This guideline was issued in 2011 and will be considered for review in three years. The review history, and any updates to the guideline in the interim period, will be noted in the review report.

Some recommendations may be out of date, declaration of interests governance may not be in line with current policy.