It’s the UK’s second biggest cancer killer yet during 2020 there was a significant drop in the number of people seeing their GP with red-flag symptoms — which may result in more people being diagnosed at a later stage, when it’s harder to treat. In Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we sort the facts from the fiction
Bowel cancer only affects older people: FALSE
Around 268,000 people in the UK today have been diagnosed with bowel cancer. Though it’s more likely to develop if you’re over 50, anybody can get bowel cancer, no matter your age, gender or background. If you have symptoms, don’t be embarrassed and don’t ignore them. Speak to your GP.
Blood in your poo is a symptom: TRUE
Other symptoms include bleeding from your bottom, a persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness or a pain or lump in your tummy. Most people with these symptoms won’t have bowel cancer, but if you have one or more of these, see your GP.
Bowel cancer screening tests are done at home: TRUE
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, people aged 60 to 74 are invited to take part in bowel cancer screening. In Scotland, screening starts from 50. Bowel screening uses home tests, which look for hidden blood in poo, to detect bowel cancer at an early stage. If you’re that age and registered with a GP, a test will automatically be posted to you.
From Dr Lisa Wilde, Director of Research and External Affairs at Bowel Cancer UK. For more information, visit bowelcanceruk.org.uk