This April marks Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in a bid to spread awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Bowel cancer is the third most common diagnosed cancer in both men and women in Scotland, according to Public Health Scotland.
Nearly 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK and there are currently around 268,000 people living with the diagnosis in the UK today, according to Bowel Cancer UK.
Bowel cancer symptoms are often overlooked as many overlap with signs of other conditions from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to diarrhoea.
In light of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, which begins today, Michael Carson who is a Senior Litigation Executive at Patient Claim Line released advice on the 'red flag' symptoms of bowel cancer.
What are the red flag symptoms of bowel cancer?
According to the expert, there are three main symptoms.
One of these signs is blood in your poo, although there may not always be enough to notice.
Other symptoms include a change in bowel habits.
Michael explains: "...especially needing to poo more or having almost diarrhoea a lot, and pains in the stomach or bloating, especially after eating.
Another symptom of bowel cancer may also be unexpected or unintended weight loss.
According to the NHS, 90 per cent of those with bowel cancer have at least one of the following symptoms:
- a persistent change in bowel habit – pooing more often, with looser, runnier poos and sometimes tummy (abdominal) pain
- blood in the poo
- abdominal pain, discomfort or bloating always brought on by eating
- weight loss
- constipation
What factors increase my risk of getting bowel cancer?
The expert goes on to explain the potential risk factors and lifestyle choices that could increase a person's risk of developing bowel cancer.
He said “The factors that increase the risk of bowel cancer are much the same as with any cancer.
"Smoking, an unhealthy diet high in processed meat, a lack of exercise, obesity and alcohol will all increase the risk.
"There can also be other conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or familial adenomatous polyposis, a genetic condition.”
You are more at risk of bowel cancer if you fall under one or more of the following categories, according to Bowel Cancer UK.
- Aged over 50
- A strong family history of bowel cancer
- A history of non-cancerous growths (polyps) in your bowel
- Longstanding inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Type 2 diabetes
- An unhealthy lifestyle
“Reduce the risks mentioned above! Eat healthy with lots of vegetable and a diet high in fibre, don’t smoke, avoid alcohol or do not exceed the recommended limits, take regular exercise and keep weight within a normal BMI range", the expert added.
Bowel cancer screening
The Scottish Bowel Screening Programme invites men and women aged between 50 and 74 to take part in screening every two years.
Bowel screening testing kits are now being sent out to allow Scots to complete tests at home.
You can access information about the bowel screening test and instructions on how to complete it on the Public Health Scotland website here.
What are the main treatments for bowel cancer?
You may be offered a number of treatments if you are found to have bowel cancer.
Treatment methods will be dependent on your test results as well as your general health.
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy or both may be used as well as other treatments if the cancer has spread to other areas of your body or if there is a risk of your cancer returning after treatment.
Michael explained: “Surgery is normally always required.
"This may also be backed up with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.”
He added: “Without adequate treatment, the cancer can grow and may spread to other parts of the body. Ultimately, failing to treat bowel cancer is likely to be fatal.”
Bowel Cancer UK have put together a guide explaining what questions you may want to ask to get the most useful information from your appointments. You can access it here.
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