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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more|.
Find out how we produce our information|
This information is for people who are still having side effects six months or more after treatment for bowel cancer|.
Most people have side effects during, and for a few weeks after, treatment for colon| or rectal| cancer. Usually these effects gradually get less and disappear. But some people may have side effects that continue months after treatment and which sometimes become permanent. Other people may develop delayed late effects of treatment| months or years later.
Not everyone has or gets long-term or late effects and many get better over time. How likely you are to have problems depends on different factors such as where in your bowel the cancer was (rectum or colon), the size of the cancer (stage|) and the types of treatment you had.
Doctors and researchers are looking at ways of making sure people get the best treatment for bowel cancer with as few side effects as possible.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.