Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancers diagnosed in the UK. However, many people have no idea what signs and symptoms of this deadly disease they should be looking out for.
Radio 1 DJ and former reality star Adele Roberts has recently opened up about being diagnosed with the condition. As she undergoes surgery to remove the tumour, she is now hoping to raise awareness of bowel cancer to help others spot the signs early.
Not sure what warning signs to look out for? Here, you’ll discover more about bowel cancer and the warning signs you shouldn’t ignore.
What is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer typically develops within the large bowel. It is otherwise known as colon or rectal cancer, depending upon where the cancer started. While most people who are diagnosed with bowel cancer are over the age of 65, there has been a sharp rise in younger patients developing the disease.
Adele, aged 42, is the latest young star to be diagnosed and she has urged her fans and followers to get any health complaints checked over. When it isn’t caught early, the prognosis of survival significantly drops.
What are the warning signs to watch out for?
If you want to stand the best chance of fighting bowel cancer, you need to know the warning signs to watch out for.
Most of the warning signs can also pinpoint a less serious health condition. Many patients also experience minimal symptoms, making them less likely to get them checked out. So, what symptoms should you be watching out for? Here’s some of the key bowel cancer warning signs:
- Extreme fatigue for no reason
- Unexplained weight loss
- A lump or pain within the stomach
- A consistent change in bowel habits
- Blood in your stools
Adele has warned that she initially put off seeking medical advice as she was embarrassed. She thought she only had a digestive issue, so didn’t feel it would be serious. This is a common problem as the signs of bowel cancer can be subtle. You won’t always experience significant symptoms.
If you notice any of the signs above, it is crucial to get them checked out by a doctor. It might be nothing, but if it is bowel cancer as least you will have caught it early which could make all the difference when it comes to your prognosis.
Treating bowel cancer
If you do develop bowel cancer, there are some excellent treatments available. Improvements within bowel cancer treatments have greatly prolonged life expectancy. However, it remains crucial to seek treatment early.
Surgery is usually the best way to treat bowel cancer, combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Understanding the warning signs helps you to catch bowel cancer early, giving you the best chance of beating it.