April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
When diagnosed early, nine in ten people survive bowel cancer. That's why this April, to support Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we're asking you to help raise awareness so everyone has the best chance of an early diagnosis.
What is bowel cancer?
Almost 9 out of 10 people in the UK are diagnosed with bowel cancer over the age of 60. Bowel cancer develops from polyps (tiny bumps of cells inside the bowel). Most polyps remain benign (not cancerous), but about 1 in 10 will turn into cancer. If it is caught in the early stages, there is a greater than 90% chance of a cure.
Why is awareness of bowel cancer so important?
Knowing your normal and when to seek help is always important. Raising vital bowel cancer awareness leads to the nation being better educated on bowel cancer and the signs and symptoms to look out for. Seeing as there is a greater than 90% chance of a cure, if caught early enough, the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer are more than worth being aware of.
Too many people suffer in silence with their symptoms. We must raise public awareness and help the UK get to grips with their guts, person by person, toilet visit by toilet visit.
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
Knowing the symptoms is important to help spot bowel cancer early. The earlier that it’s found, the more treatable it’s likely to be.
Bowel cancer is cancer that begins in the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum. It’s sometimes called colorectal cancer.
On this page we’ll give you information on what the symptoms can look like and when to visit your GP if you think you have symptoms.
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer can affect anyone, whatever your age, gender, ethnicity or where you live.
Symptoms can include:
- bleeding from your bottom
- blood in your poo
- a change in your pooing habits. You might be going more or less often, or have diarrhoea or constipation that might come and go
- losing weight but you’re not sure why
- feeling very tired all the time but you’re not sure why
- a pain or lump in your tummy
Having these symptoms doesn’t always mean you have bowel cancer, but it’s still important to find out what’s causing them.
https://youtu.be/6wiGzp6gquY
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month | Bowel Cancer UK