It is possible that OPCs may be protective against cancer.

In the specific context of bowel cancer, as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, here most people who are over 50 get a free Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) kit - the results are sent off to a pathology lab for analysis.

If anything of concern is revealed an investigative colonoscopy is highly recommended as is, for people over 50, a FOBT every two years.

Bowel cancer shows classical staging. The prognosis is very good for people with Duke's Stage A and very poor for those with Duke's Stage D.

Early detection (with a FOBT as the first step, followed by a colonoscopy if indicated) is very important.