Signs and symptoms of bowel cancer as late Deborah James urges people to 'check your poo' before tragic death aged 40

Cancer campaigner and podcaster Dame Deborah James sadly passed away on Tuesday after a battle with bowel cancer.

The 40-year-old was described as an "inspiration" for sharing her cancer journey and urged everyone with her famous sign-off to "check your poo" as it could save your life.

Bowel cancer is a general term for cancer that begins in the large bowel and, depending on where it starts, can also be called colon or rectal cancer.

READ MORE: Deborah James dies aged 40 as family pay heartbreaking tribute to 'amazing' and 'inspirational' cancer campaigner

It is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in Ireland, and most people diagnosed with it are over the age of 60.

The symptoms of bowel cancer can be subtle and don't necessarily make you feel ill. But it's worth trying simple treatments for a short time to see if they get better.

Man suffers painful abdomen injury and holds painful area with hands, Gastritis, Stomach pain, Reflux acids. (gettyimages.ie)

More than 90% of people with bowel cancer have one of the following combinations of symptoms:

• a persistent change in bowel habits. Going more often, with looser stools and sometimes stomach (abdominal) pain
• blood in your poo, especially if mixed through the stool. This makes it unlikely the cause is haemorrhoids
• stomach pain, discomfort or bloating always brought on by eating. This can sometimes result in a reduction in the amount of food eaten and weight loss

Bowel cancer symptoms are also very common, and most people with them don't have cancer.

For example:

• a change in bowel habit or abdominal pain is usually the result of something you've eaten
• a change in bowel habit to going less often, with harder poo, is not usually caused by any serious condition. It may be worth trying laxatives before seeing your GP
• constipation, where you pass harder stools less often
• fresh blood often separate from your poo or coating the stool. This, when associated with pain or soreness, is more often caused by piles or a simple tear (fissure)

These symptoms should be taken more seriously as you get older and when they persist despite simple treatments.

When to seek medical advice

Although bowel cancer symptoms are very common, you should talk to your GP if they persist for more than four weeks.

Most people with these symptoms don't have bowel cancer.

Talk to your GP if your symptoms persist or keep coming back after stopping treatment.

Bowel obstruction

In some cases, bowel cancer can stop digestive waste from passing through the bowel. This is known as a bowel obstruction.

Symptoms of a bowel obstruction can include:

• intermittent and occasionally severe abdominal pain – this is always provoked by eating
• unintentional weight loss – with persistent abdominal pain
• constant swelling of the tummy – with abdominal pain
• vomiting – with constant abdominal swelling

A bowel obstruction is a medical emergency. If you suspect you have a bowel obstruction, you should talk to your GP quickly.

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