What are anti-cancer therapies?
Anti-cancer therapies are types of treatment used to treat bowel cancer. The main anti-cancer therapies are chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which continue to be highly effective in treating bowel cancer and, combined with surgery, are the main standard therapies. New technologies and treatment techniques mean that this is an ever-advancing area of medicine.
Other anti-cancer therapies including targeted therapies and immunotherapies are newer types of treatment that are proving effective for certain types of cancer.
Through our healthcare system our experts can provide the full range of treatment options, from standard therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, to the latest immunotherapies, targeted and hormone therapies.
We are committed to developing and providing the very latest treatment innovations through the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, our dedicated clinical trials centre.
New and emerging therapies
What is genomic testing?
Genomic testing is a type of advanced diagnostic testing, referred to as molecular diagnostics. These tests look at the behaviour of the genes within your specific tumour tissue. The behaviour of these genes determines how likely the cancer is to grow and spread. It can also provide consultants with an insight into which treatment options may be most effective for your individual tumour.
These genomic insights may identify additional treatment options such as immunotherapy or access to new and emerging therapies through clinical trials.
Find out more about The Sarah Cannon Molecular Diagnostics Lab, part of HCA UK
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that compares how effective different treatments are. There are different types of clinical trials, but they are all highly regulated and closely monitored to ensure safety. Access to clinical trials means you may be one of the first people to benefit from a new treatment, but as with any treatment, you can’t be sure of the outcome.
If your consultant thinks you may benefit from a clinical trial, they will discuss this with you in detail so that you can make an informed decision about taking part.
Find out more about The Sarah Cannon Research Institute, part of HCA UK
More about bowel cancer
Tests and diagnosing bowel cancer
Living with and beyond bowel cancer
