We are helping to raise awareness and encourage people to know the signs of bowel cancer. We want more people to be diagnosed at an earlier stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. About 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year. If it is detected early, treatment is more successful and there is a good chance of recovery. It is important that you go to your doctor, with any signs or symptoms so they can help to rule out bowel cancer.
On this page you can find more information about the symptoms of bowel cancer, a range of video stories, and links to further information.
Bowel Cancer Awareness Talk – April 2024
Here is a recording of our session with Bowel Cancer UK. With thanks to Bowel Cancer UK and their volunteer Michael, for sharing this.
Visiting your GP about bowel cancer
Watch the video below to hear Dr Anisha Patel talk about what to expect when visiting your GP.
Bowel Cancer Symptoms
It is really important to speak to your GP if you have noticed a change to what is normal for you, and it has lasted for three weeks or more.
Symptoms to look out for include:
- Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
- A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
- A pain or lump in your tummy
Facts and Figures
– Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK
– Almost 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK
– Around 268,000 people living in the UK today have been diagnosed with bowel cancer
– 1 in 15 men and 1 in 18 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime
– 94% of new cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 50, but bowel cancer can affect anyone of any age
– Bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early
(Source: Bowel Cancer UK)
Ian’s Story
Ian lives in Dorset and last year, during investigations for a bad back, his consultant reported that he was not happy with the shape of Ian’s bowel. Ian was asked to complete a poo test at home and return this in the post. This is a test that detects small amounts of blood in your poo and can be an early indicator of bowel cancer.
Ian’s results came back positive and he had to have some polyps removed from his bowel but was given the all clear following this procedure. Listen to Ian’s story here:
9 times out of ten your symptoms, like Ian’s, will not mean you have cancer, but it is better to know as early as possible, so you can rule out cancer or get the treatment you need quickly.
Sarah’s Story
When Sarah went to the GP with symptoms that needed investigating, she found out that she did have bowel cancer. She received treatment for this and was given the all clear just over 10 years ago. Bowel cancer is treatable, and you can live a life after a cancer diagnosis, but an early diagnosis is key to this success.
Watch Sarah’s story here:
If you have symptoms
Across Dorset a test called the FIT test (used to rule out possible bowel cancer) is not being returned by some of the people that doctors have sent it to.
This is a test that can detect possible bowel cancer before it becomes harder to treat. We want to raise awareness of the importance of this test, and how you can complete it if your doctor has asked you to.
The test looks for blood in a sample of your poo. It looks for tiny traces of blood that you might not be able to see and which could be a sign of cancer. Traces of blood in your poo can be caused by other medical conditions, so doesn’t always mean you have cancer.
If you go to see your GP, they might ask you to carry out this test as part of the investigation for your symptoms. The FIT results help your doctor decide whether to refer you for more tests. The test could be given to you by the GP, or it may also arrive in the post, once it has been decided this is a test you need to do. It is really important that you return it to your GP surgery as soon as possible after you receive it.
Read more about the symptomatic FIT test and how to do it here:
If you do not have symptoms
If you aged over 56 you will be sent a FIT kit to complete at home every 2 years.
This is the national bowel cancer screening programme. Cancer screening is the testing of people who are not showing any symptoms, to find signs which could lead to cancer. Screening saves thousands of lives each year by detecting cancer in its early stages.
Read more about the bowel cancer screening programme and how it works here:
Useful Links
There are a number of cancer charities, some specifically for bowel cancer, that can provide support and advice if you have been diagnosed with bowel cancer. You can find plenty more information on the following (external) websites:
Cancer Care Map
Support can be a lifeline for people affected by cancer. There is a wide range of services available in the Wessex area and further afield.
Cancer Care Map is a simple, free, online resource to help you find cancer support services near you.
Click on the Cancer Care Map logo and enter your postcode in the search box. You can enter key words to search for more specific services.
If you have any questions about the information on this page please Contact Us