Expert Advisory Groups

Colorectal cancer (also known as bowel) is cancer that starts in the colon (large bowel) or most commonly in the rectum.

Colorectal cancer is the 4^th most common cancer in the UK accounting for 11% of all new cancer cases.  In 2019, 44,706 cases of bowel cancer were diagnosed in the UK. [World Cancer Research Fund].

The risks and causes of colorectal cancer include your age, family history, lifestyle factors and other medical conditions.

Most bowel cancers develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps which can be removed to lower the risk of bowel cancer developing. Credit: CRUK & Bowel Cancer UK

The overall aim of the Colorectal Expert Advisory Group (EAG) is to provide specialist advice and guidance to the West Midlands Cancer Alliance (WMCA) Board on the standards of service for patients with colorectal cancer reflecting current best practice and opportunities for development.  NHS Trust performance on the Faster Diagnosis Standard of 28 days and 62 day treatment standard are discussed and best practice shared with an aim to improving performance against these targets.

The Colorectal EAG aims to ensure that patients with colorectal cancer receive high quality equitable cancer care throughout the West Midlands regardless of geography or socio-economic factors and will, wherever possible, endeavour to improve the standard of care provided.

The EAG supports research & innovation for patients in the West Midlands area including Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) and Colon Capsule Endoscopy (CCE) to ensure patients receive the most appropriate investigation at the right time. 

Chair:  Mr Shantanu Rout, Colorectal Surgeon, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital NHS Trust 

Deputy Chair: Dr Peter Correa, Consultant Oncologist, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Documents:

NHS Futures: FIT patient video - GI symptoms

Useful Links:

How to use the bowel cancer screening FIT kit | NHS | YouTube Video

GOV UK: How to Use Your Bowel Cancer Screening Kit (Multiple Language Documents)

Vimeo: Videos on How to Use Your Bowel Cancer Screening Kit (Multiple Language Subtitles Available)

Be Part of Research - NIHR Website

Digital Portfolio Maps

EC Trial Finder | ECMC

Bowel cancer - NHS Website

Bowel screening | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE

Bowel Cancer | Bowel Cancer UK

Types of bowel cancer | Cancer Research UK

Overview | Colorectal cancer | Quality standards QS20| NICE

Overview | Colorectal cancer NG151| Guidance | NICEOverview | Colorectal cancer prevention: colonoscopic surveillance in adults with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or adenomas | Guidance | NICE

Lynch syndrome: taking aspirin to reduce the chance of bowel cancer

Faecal Immunochemical Test - GatewayC

Colorectal Cancer - GatewayC

Bowel cancer awareness month: FIT guidance

GatewayC GP's Talk Cancer: Lower GI