If you’re experiencing tummy troubles it can be all too easy to put it to the back of your mind, chalking it off as something simple – but NHS experts say it could be best getting checked out.
The have shared some of the symptoms that should not be ignored, and ones people should be on the lookout for.
It comes as bowel cancer is the fourth most common form of cancer in the United Kingdom with over 42,000 people being diagnosed with the disease each year, says Bowel Cancer UK.
So what are the red flag symptoms you should look out for?
so what are the red flag symptoms you should look out for?
Bowel Cancer UK also said that 94% of people are over the age of 50 when they are diagnosed and 59% of these patients are over the age of 70, reports The Mirror.
It can affect people of any age, so it is important to know what bowel cancer symptoms to watch out for.
Bowel cancer signs can be easily missed, as people put the symptoms down to just getting older or other harmless illnesses, reports the Daily Record.
The NHS says: “Bowel cancer is cancer that’s found anywhere in the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum. The large bowel is part of your digestive system. It helps absorb water from your food and removes food waste from your body.
“How serious bowel cancer is depends on how big the cancer is, if the cancer has spread, and your general health. Bowel cancer screening can pick up bowel cancer early, which may mean it’s easier to treat. It’s important to get any symptoms of bowel cancer checked as soon as possible.”
Bowel cancer symptoms:
- 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
- a lump in your tummy
- bloating
- losing weight without trying
- feeling very tired for no reason
The NHS urged people to get checked out by their GP, as it may not be bowel cancer, but it’s important to rule it out.
