During Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, throughout April, Knowsley Council is helping to raise awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer.
Knowing the symptoms is important to help spot bowel cancer early. The earlier that it’s found, the more treatable it’s likely to be.
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer can affect anyone, whatever your age, gender, ethnicity or where you live.
Symptoms can include:
- bleeding from your bottom
- blood in your poo
- a change in your pooing habits. You might be going more or less often, or have diarrhoea or constipation that might come and go
- losing weight but you’re not sure why
- feeling very tired all the time but you’re not sure why
- a pain or lump in your tummy
Most people with these symptoms won’t have bowel cancer. Other health problems can cause similar symptoms. But if you experience one or more of these, or if things just don’t feel right, contact your GP straight away.
Add video: What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
Bowel Cancer screening
The NHS bowel cancer screening programme helps to spot bowel cancer early and before any symptoms start. If you’re 54 to 74 and registered with a GP, you’ll receive an NHS bowel cancer screening kit every two years. It will be sent to you in the post with full instructions on how to use the kit at home and where to return it to. If you’re aged 75 or over you can request a screening kit by calling 0800 707 6060.
If you receive a bowel cancer screening kit you should collect the sample and return it. This can help to detect cancer early, before you have any symptoms.
Cllr Bannon, Knowsley Council Cabinet Member for Health, said:
“Bowel cancer can affect anyone, whatever your age, gender or ethnicity. The most important thing to know is that – the earlier it is spotted, the more treatable it’s likely to be.
“I’d urge anyone experiencing any of the symptoms associated with bowel cancer to make an appointment to see their GP. Having these symptoms doesn’t always mean you have bowel cancer but it’s still important to see your GP about them.”
She added:
“If you receive a bowel cancer screening kit through the post, you should collect the sample and return it as instructed. This can help to detect cancer early, before you have any symptoms and the earlier that it’s found, the more treatable it’s likely to be.”
For more information about bowel cancer and details of how to get involved during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, visit bowelcanceruk.org.uk/bowel-cancer-awareness-month.