More than 16,000 people die from bowel cancer in the UK every year. Bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone does survive bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage. However, the survival rate drops significantly as the disease develops. Early diagnosis could save a persons’ life and with 268,000 people living in the UK being diagnosed with the disease, early detection is crucial.
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Bowel cancer symptoms: Stools this shape could signal deadly disease
Bowel cancer is also called colorectal cancer and it affects the large bowel which is made up of the colon and rectum.
Bowel Cancer UK said on their website: “The cells in your body normally divide and grow in a controlled way.
“When cancer develops, the cells change and can grow in an uncontrolled way.
“Most bowel cancer develops from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps but not all polyps develop into cancer.
Seeing red or blood in your stools is a common symptom of bowel cancer.
There are several possible causes of bleeding from your bottom or blood in your bowel movements.
Bright red blood may come from swollen blood vessels in your back passage.
Bowel Cancer UK said: “Dark red or black blood may come from your bowel or stomach.
Tell your doctor about any bleeding so they can find out what is causing it.”
Other symptoms to look out for
Other common symptoms of bowel cancer include unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness for no obvious reason or a pain or lump in the tummy.
Having a persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit is also a common sign of the cancer.
This could mean going more often, with looser stools and unexplained changes.
Another symptom could be not going to the toilet enough or might feel as though they’re fully emptying their bowels.
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Bowel cancer: The signs in your tummy to watch out for
When to speak with your GP
If your toilet habits have changed for more than three weeks, it’s a good idea to speak to a doctor.
But, most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer.
They’re more likely to be caused by something less serious, including constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, or Crohn’s disease.
More than 40,000 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed in the UK every year.
Sometimes, a tumour can block the bowel, causing sudden strong pains in the stomach area, bloating and feeling or being sick.
This is called a bowel obstruction. You may also be unable to empty your bowels or pass wind.
If you think you have a blocked bowel, see your GP straight away or go to a hospital accident and emergency department.
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