The bowel is part of our digestive system and is divided into the small bowel and large bowel. The large bowel is made up of three areas colon, rectum and anus. The term Colorectal cancer or bowel cancer is often used to talk about these together.
If you are diagnosed with bowel cancer, it means you have one of the specific cancers listed above. If you are not sure which type, ask your GP, cancer doctor or specialist nurse for more information. Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK. Most people diagnosed with it are over the age of 60.
Signs & Symptoms of bowel cancer?
The three main symptoms of bowel cancer are:
- persistent blood in your poo – that happens for no obvious reason or is associated with a change in bowel habit
- a persistent change in your bowel habit – which is usually having to poo more and your poo may also become more runny
- persistent lower abdominal (tummy) pain, bloating or discomfort – that's always caused by eating and may be associated with loss of appetite or significant unintentional weight loss
Other health problems can cause similar symptoms. For example:
- blood in the poo when associated with pain or soreness is more often caused by piles (haemorrhoids)
- a change in bowel habit or abdominal pain is usually caused by something you've eaten
- a change in bowel habit to going less often, with harder poo, is not usually caused by any serious condition – it may be worth trying laxatives before seeing a GP
These symptoms are less likely to be a sign of cancer but should be taken more seriously as you get older and when they continue despite simple treatments. You should see a GP if you are worried about these symptoms.
