Cancer is a potentially deadly disease that occurs when abnormal cells divide and spread in an uncontrolled way. These cells can also damage nearby tissue and organs.
There are more than 200 types of cancer that can affect the human body. These depend on where in the body they start.
Among the most common types in the UK is bowel cancer, which accounts for around 11 percent of all cancer diagnoses. It also has a high mortality rate, causing around 16,000 deaths annually.
Therefore, being aware of any of the warning signs could be life-saving. One expert shared six important symptoms of bowel cancer to look out for.
Speaking on YouTube, Doctor James O’Donovan prefaced by saying: “Before we cover these I want to point out that some of these symptoms are not specific to bowel cancer and they can be caused by other conditions nonetheless if you do have any of these symptoms it is worth speaking to your doctor who can help you try to find the underlying cause.”
According to Dr O’Donovan, the signs to look for are:
- Persistent change in bowel habit.
- Blood in the poop.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- A mass in the abdomen, rectum or anus.
- Abdominal pain discomfort or bloating.
- Feeling tired all the time.
Persistent change in bowel habit
This is classified as a change to your normal bowel habit that’s gone on for more than six weeks and it’s not getting better or returning to normal.
Dr O’Donovan explained: “For example, you might find that you’re pooing more often or you might have looser runnier poos sometimes accompanied by tummy pain.
“Either way if you’ve noticed a persistent and ongoing change to your bowel habit then you should speak to your doctor.”
Blood in the poop
This can be a “scary” symptom to notice, Dr O’Donovan admitted.
He said: “This can be obvious visible blood but it can also be microscopic blood that’s mixed in with the poo and this is picked up on something called a faecal immunochemical test, also known as a FIT test.
“Although seeing blood in the toilet after pain can be scary it’s important to remember that there are lots of other non-sinister causes of this such as haemorrhoids, which are also commonly known as piles.
“But either way if you have noticed bleeding from your bottom you need to be assessed by your doctor so that they can help you try to find the underlying cause.”
Unexplained weight loss
This is also a more general sign of many types of cancer.
“Now the third important symptom is unexplained weight loss, especially if you’re aged over 40 and have lost more than five percent of your total body weight in the preceding six months without intending to do so,” he said.
“By this I mean you haven’t been dieting or increasing the amount you exercise in order to lose weight.
“Although there are many factors causing weight loss, if you also have rectal and bleeding abdominal pain and you’re aged 40 or older this does raise suspicion for possible bowel cancer.”
A mass in the abdomen, rectum or anus
He commented: “Again there are lots of possible underlying causes of this sign which may not be bowel cancer but it is something that needs to be explored further.”
Abdominal pain discomfort or bloating
“The fifth symptom is abdominal pain discomfort or bloating always brought on by eating this
sometimes results in a reduction in the amount of food eaten and results in that weight loss,” he said.
Feeling tired all the time
This is a “very vague symptom”, he said.
“Your doctor will most likely check your blood if they notice an iron deficiency anaemia, meaning low levels of iron causing low haemoglobin levels.
“They might explore this further taking into account things such as your age and the possible underlying reasons as to why you might be feeling like this.
He added: “Now it’s important to know that many people with these symptoms or signs don’t have bowel cancer, other health problems can cause similar symptoms but it’s really important that if you do have any of these things or you just don’t feel right to go see your doctor.”
