NEARLY everyone diagnosed with bowel cancer can survive if they are diagnosed early.
But devastatingly, it’s the UK’s second biggest cancer killer, taking the lives of 16,500 people every year, charities say.
According to Cancer Research UK, more than 9 in 10 people will survive bowel cancer for five years or more if diagnosed at the earliest stage.
This drops to one in 10 when the disease is diagnosed at the latest stage.
If stage 1-4, the majority of people diagnosed in England between 2013 and 2017 were in stage three of the disease, where the cancer is already spreading.
The disease, diagnosed 43,000 times every year in the UK, is most common in people over the age of 60.
But it can affect young people, too. Trending In The News’s columnist Deborah James, 40, has chronicled her journey with an advanced form of the disease after a tragic diagnosis at the age of 35.
NHS bowel cancer screening tries to detect cases as soon as possible, before symptoms show.
Everyone in England aged 60 to 74 is eligible. And in a win for Trending In The News’s No Time 2 Lose campaign, invites are now being extended to those in their 50s.
But bowel cancer does cause symptoms, and being aware of them could save your life.
Bowel Cancer UK says: “If you have any symptoms, don’t be embarrassed and don’t ignore them.
“Doctors are used to seeing lots of people with bowel problems.”
The subtle sign
Doctor Belinda Griffiths GP who does cancer screenings from The Fleet Street Clinic, warned the symptoms of bowel cancer can be “subtle” and confused for other illnesses.
She particularly highlighted persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit, The Express reported.
This may include having more frequent bowel movements, constipation, or having loose stools.
Everyone sees their toilet habits fluctuate from time to time in response to what they’ve eaten, drank or activity levels.
So it may be something that you brush over or even fail to notice at all.
But the sign bowel changes are caused by something serious if it lasts for a few weeks, Dr Griffiths said.
The NHS says you should see your GP if you have any of the symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more.
The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:
- Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
- A change in your normal toilet habits – going more frequently for example
- Pain or a lump in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness
- Losing weight
Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness.
In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction.
Other signs of bowel cancer include:
- Gripping pains in the abdomen
- Feeling bloated
- Constipation and being unable to pass wind
- Being sick
- Feeling like you need to strain – like doing a number two – but after you’ve been to the loo
Dr Griffiths said: “It is important to note that the majority of people with these symptoms do not have bowel cancer but symptoms should not be ignored just in case it is.
“Delaying investigation could result in bowel cancer being diagnosed at a later stage.”
