A group of experts have issued a warning for people to be on alert for changes in their toilet habits that could be a sign of bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest, with almost 43,000 diagnosed with the disease each year, according to Bowel Cancer UK.
While it can be fatal, the disease is treatable and curable if caught early due to warning signs. These symptoms tend to be overlooked by people as signs of other illnesses, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or diarrhoea.
More than nine out of ten new cases (94 per cent) are diagnosed in people over the age of 50, as Cancer Research UK states that 54 per cent of diagnosed cases are preventable.
The Mirror spoke to a group of experts to find answers on a number of key areas surrounding the disease, including hard to spot symptoms.
The most common symptoms of bowel cancer
According to the NHS, common symptoms of bowel cancer include:
- changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
- needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
- blood in your poo, which may look red or black
- bleeding from your bottom
- often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet
- tummy pain
- bloating
- losing weight without trying
- feeling very tired for no reason
Dr Luke Pratsides, the lead GP at Numan, said: "There are some important signs and symptoms to look out for with regards to bowel cancer which include: noticing blood in your stool, a change in your bowel habit with regard to diarrhoea or constipation that persists for more than four weeks, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain and the feeling that you need to pass stools, even though your bowels are already empty.
"If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important you see your GP urgently for further investigation."
Is bowel cancer easy to spot?
Clinical Director and Superintendent Pharmacist at Medicine Direct, Hussain Abdeh, said: "Bowel cancer can be difficult to diagnose outright as the symptoms are quite generic.
"When you see your GP, they will normally perform a digital rectal examination, which may be uncomfortable but takes less than one minute to carry out. You will also be asked for a stool sample, which will be examined for traces of blood."
He added: "It can be hard to spot small bowel cancer as many of the symptoms are vague."
What do I do if I think I have symptoms of bowel cancer?
Dr Pratsides urged people to "see your GP urgently" if you think you have symptoms of the disease.
He added: "We hear a lot these days in the media about how hard it is to see your GP but don't be put off by this. If you describe symptoms of bowel cancer you will get an appointment."
Mr Hussain said: "As with any type of potential cancer symptom, the best course of action for anyone to take would be to visit their doctor.
"Do not be embarrassed about talking to your doctor if you have any worrying changes in your bowel habits, or if you are exhibiting any other potential bowel cancer symptoms."
Is it difficult to treat bowel cancer?
The treatment for bowel cancer, like many forms of the disease, can be dependent on the severity of the cancer when it is diagnosed.
Mr Hussian said: "How difficult it is to treat bowel cancer depends on how far the cancer has spread and where it is in the bowel.
"Most cases of bowel cancer require surgery for effective treatment. Sometimes, this is combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or biological treatments; the best course of treatment varies from case to case."
However, it has been reported that treatment for bowel cancer is continuing to improve, as Chemist Click pharmacist Abbas Kanani said: "The survival rate over 10 years is around 50 per cent for bowel cancer, and the bowel survival rate has more than doubled over the last 40 year in the UK."
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