Knowing the symptoms of bowel cancer could save your life

Genevieve Edwards

Chief Executive, Bowel Cancer UK

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with the disease, that is nearly 43,000 people every year.

Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer. As a charity we see firsthand the devastating impact that bowel cancer can have on people of all ages. The disease steals away time they could spend with loved ones and cuts short the life of more than 16,500 people every year.

Early diagnosis is crucial

However, bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage. Yet this drops significantly as the disease develops. Early diagnosis really does save lives.

That is why findings we released earlier this year were shocking. More than four in ten (45%) people in the UK cannot name a single symptom of bowel cancer.

Knowing symptoms of bowel cancer

One of the key ‘red flag’ bowel cancer symptoms is blood in your poo but only a third of people (35%) are aware of it. The other four main symptoms, experienced by many who go on to be diagnosed with the disease, have an alarmingly low rate of awareness:

• Change of bowel habits (12%)
• Pain in your tummy or abdominal pain (11%)
• Weight loss (8%)
• Unexplained fatigue (2%)

Men are less likely than women to recognise any bowel cancer symptoms with half of UK men (55%) unable to spot any signs of bowel cancer, compared to 36% of women.

More than four in ten (45%) people in the UK cannot name a single symptom of bowel cancer.

Speak to your healthcare professional 

If you notice any signs of bowel cancer, or if things just don’t feel right for you, please visit your GP. While the disease largely affects people over the age of 50, more than 2,600 under 50s are diagnosed each year. It is really important people seek advice as soon as possible – whatever their age – if they’re worried.

As a charity we’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. We support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.