The NHS has warned members of the public to look out for the key signs and symptoms of bowel cancer when using the toilet.
People are being warned that they should stay vigilant of indicators that they have bowel cancer as the earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. NHS guidance suggests that symptoms such as everyday stomach pain, ongoing fatigue and changes to your toilet habits could all be signs of cancer. They advise that those who have suffered any of the symptoms listed on the NHS website for more than three weeks should speak to a medical professional, particularly if there is blood in their stools or they're experiencing unusual bowel troubles.
The list of symptoms includes "changes in your poo, such as having a softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you," "needing to poo more or less often," "blood in your poo, which may look red or black," and "bleeding from your bottom". Frequently feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet, lumps in the abdominal area, bloating and unexplained weight loss are also red flags to look out for.
According to the guidelines, anyone experiencing any of these symptoms for a three-week period should go to their GP, whilst those experiencing blood in their stools that make it appear "black or dark red" or "bloody diarrhoea" should book an urgent appointment. Immediate medical attention should be sought by calling 999 if you are "bleeding non-stop from your bottom" or "there's a lot of blood".
The site added: "Some of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions. Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have bowel cancer, but it's important to get checked by a GP. If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it's easier to treat."
Close to 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK and it is the second deadliest cancer in the country, causing over 17,000 deaths each year. The earlier it is caught, the easier it is to treat and the higher the chance of the patient's survival - which is why it is so important to keep an eye out for symptoms and report any you experience as soon as possible. Biomedical scientists have recently celebrated the "incredibly exciting" outcomes in bowel cancer treatment as immunotherapy treatments undergo trials and provide new hope for patients.
Justin Stebbing, professor of biomedical sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, said: "These results are incredibly exciting. Colorectal or bowel cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer worldwide and this is the first time there has been convincing evidence that immunotherapy can work in all forms of colorectal tumours, so this is potentially game-changing. This is now progressing into later phase clinical trials and we hope the FDA in the United States approve its use very soon. And because this is such an important area, affecting so many people, we hope authorities in the UK are also able to move quickly."
The four symptoms of bowel cancer to look out for:
- Changes in your poo, including softer poo, diarrhoea, or constipation. Needing to poo more or less often than usual, and blood in your poo can also be a sign of bowel cancer.
- Stomach pain or a lump in your tummy.
- Bloating or losing weight without trying
- Fatigue or feeling tired for no reason. Bowel cancer causes anaemia, which can make you feel tired, breathless and suffer from headaches.