Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer is England’s fourth most common cancer, with around 37,000 new cases in England each year.

Record numbers of people are getting checked for bowel cancer across the North West as more people become eligible for home screening tests.

Bowel cancer is a general term for cancer that begins in the large bowel. Depending on where the cancer starts, bowel cancer is sometimes called colon or rectal cancer.

SYMPTOMS

- Changes in your poo. Softer, diarrhoea or constipation

- Needing to poo more or less often

- The urge to go the toilet, even if you have just been

- Blood from your bottom or in your poo

- Tummy pain, lumps or bloating

- Blood from your bottom or in your poo

- Unexplainable weight loss

- Feeling very tired for no reason

Although these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have bowel cancer, and may be due to other health issues, it is important to remain vigilant and book an appointment with your GP if you notice any changes to your bowel habits.

Symptoms should be taken more seriously if they persist despite simple treatments, and as you get older, as most people diagnosed with bowel cancer are over the age of 60

CAUSES 

Bowel cancer is found in the large
bowel, colon and rectum.
You may be more likely to develop
bowel cancer if you...
- Are over 50
- Smoke
- Are overweight
- Have a family history of bowel cancer
- Have Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis,
lynch syndrome or bowel polyps

You can lessen your risk of developing
bowel cancer by...
- Eating a healthy diet, including 5
portions of fruit and veg
- Staying active with regular exercise
- Losing weight if you are overweight
- Quitting smoking
- Drinking less alcohol
- Eating less red and processed meat

As with most types of cancer, the chance of a complete cure depends on how far it's spread by the time it's diagnosed. If the cancer is confined to the bowel, surgery is usually able to completely remove it.

Keyhole or robotic surgery is being used more often, which allows surgery to be performed with less pain and a quicker recovery.

If you have any concerns about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, please visit your GP.