Bowel cancer claims over 16,800 lives in the UK each year, but early diagnosis can significantly improve treatment success rates. Dr Naureen Starling, a consultant medical oncologist at The Royal Marsden, emphasizes the importance of recognizing bowel cancer symptoms.
The most common symptom is changes in bowel habits, such as softer stools or diarrhea, and increased frequency of bowel movements. Other signs include blood in stool, tummy pain, bloating, weight loss, and fatigue. If you experience any unusual changes in your bowel habits, it’s essential to consult your doctor.
Bowel cancer can also cause secondary symptoms, including feeling generally unwell due to blood loss from the bowel. Risk factors for developing bowel cancer include being over 50, smoking, obesity, having a close relative with bowel cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Treatment options vary depending on the location and spread of the cancer. Surgery is typically the primary treatment, often combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or biological treatments.
Early detection can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes. Dr Starling advises anyone experiencing unusual changes in their bowel habits to seek medical attention from their general practitioner (GP).
Source: https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/health/bowel-cancer-symptoms-signs-poo-30483625