What are the early warning signs of bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer, also called colorectal cancer, affects your large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum. Around 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK.

Although more than 9 out of 10 new cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 50, bowel cancer can affect anyone of any age. More than 16,800 people die from bowel cancer in the UK every year, but it can be treatable and possibly curable - especially if it's diagnosed early.

Genevieve Edwards, chief executive at Bowel Cancer UK, says: "Bowel cancer is the UK’s fourth most common cancer but it doesn’t have to be this way. It’s treatable if diagnosed early and by going straight to your GP it’s possible to rule out bowel cancer first and fast."

Signs of bowel cancer

Changes in your poo

Symptoms of bowel cancer may include changes in your poo. Your poo may be softer or you may have diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you. You may need to poo more or less often than usual, or have blood in your poo - which may look red or black. Additionally, you might often feel like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet.

The key symptoms to look out for include:

• Bleeding from your bottom.

• Blood in your poo.

• A persistent and unexplained change in in how often you, and your need to, poo.

• Unexplained weight loss.

• Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason.

• A pain or lump in your tummy.

Edwardes says: "Most people with these don’t have bowel cancer, but if you experience one or more of them, you should visit your doctor straight away. They may ask you to do a test at home to help decide whether your symptoms need further investigation."

Tummy pain and bloating

Tummy aches and bloating are common problems and can be linked to a number of health issues, from your diet to stress. However, if these problems continue for weeks, they may be an early sign of bowel cancer and you should see your doctor. In women, persistent and continuous bloating can also be a sign of ovarian cancer, so it's important to see your doctor.

Losing weight without trying

Losing weight, losing your appetite or feeling weak - without any obvious explanation as to why - can be possible signs of bowel cancer, along with many other unrelated conditions. You may also feel very tired for no reason.

Bowel cancer in under-50s

Although bowel cancer is more common in people over 50, it's important that everyone is aware of the symptoms. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis studied more than 5,000 patients under the age of 50 with bowel cancer. Their symptoms before diagnosis included abdominal pain, bleeding from the bottom, diarrhoea and iron deficiency anaemia.

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Cancer

Why bowel cancer screening is so important

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with more than 41,000 people diagnosed - and 16,000 dying from the disease - every year. The number of deaths from bowel cancer is in decline, largely thanks to the national screening programme, which targets people aged 60 to 74 in England and invites them to do a home screening test every two years.

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Cancer

Bowel cancer

Colon cancer and rectal cancer (also called colorectal cancer) are common in the UK. The colon and rectum are parts of your bowel. Most cases occur in people aged over 50. If bowel cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, there is a good chance of a cure. In general, the more advanced the cancer (the more it has grown and spread), the less chance that treatment will be curative. However, treatment can often slow the progress of the cancer.

by Dr Doug McKechnie, MRCGP

What to expect when you speak to your doctor

When you see your doctor, they will ask you about your symptoms, your health in general and your medical history. They may also ask if anyone in your family has had bowel cancer. Your doctor may feel your stomach or ask to do a rectal examination, where they put a gloved finger inside your bottom to check for lumps.

You can ask for a male or female doctor or nurse if you feel more comfortable. You may also be asked for a poo (stool) sample for testing.

Your doctor may refer you for more tests or to see a specialist in hospital if they think you have symptoms that need to be investigated, but this doesn’t mean you have cancer.