WHAT IS BOWEL CANCER?
Also known as colorectal cancer, the disease affects the large bowel and back passage or rectum. It tends to grow slowly, often over a period of up to ten years before it starts to spread to other parts of the body.

It's the 4th most common cancer in the UK - but the 2nd most deadly. It is very treatable if caught and diagnosed in the earliest stages. Around 41,200 people are diagnosed with the disease every year - more than 90% of those are in people aged 50 or over. But young people are not immune, with 2,500 new cases in people under 50 every year.

Red-flag #1: Bleeding
There are several possible causes of bleeding from the bum, of blood in the poo. Bright red blood could come from swollen blood vessels, haemorrhoids or piles, in the back passage. Dark red or black blood could come from the bowel or stomach. Blood in stools is one of the key signs of bowel cancer, so it's important to mention it to your doctor so they can investigate.

Red-flag #2: Toilet habits
It's important to tell your doctor if you notice any changes in bowel habits, that lasts three weeks or longer. It's especially important if you have also noticed signs of blood in your poo. You might notice you need to go to the loo more often, you might have looser stools or feel like you're not going enough or fully emptying your bowels.

Red-flag #3: Weight loss
This is less common than the other symptoms, but an important one to be aware of. If you've lost weight and don't really know why, it's worth mentioning to your doctor. You may not feel like eating, feel sick, bloated and not hungry.

Red-flag #4: Feeling tired
Bowel cancer that causes bleeding can cause a lack of iron in the body - anaemia. If you develop anaemia you're likely to feel tired and your skin might look pale.

Red-flag #5: Pain or lump
As with lots of other forms of cancer, a lump or pain can be a sign of bowel cancer. It's most likely you'll notice a pain or lump in your stomach or back passage. See your Doctor if it doesn't go away, or if it affects how you eat or sleep. Don't let embarrassment kill you

Other signs of bowel cancer include:
-- gripping pains in the abdomen
-- feeling bloated
-- constipation and being unable to pass wind
-- being sick
-- feeling like you need to strain - like doing a number two - but after you've been to the loo.

If you spot any of these signs, or generally feel something is up, don't delay. Go and see your doctor.

ARTICLE SOURCE (abridged): https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/8946630/deborah-james-bowel-cancer-symptoms/

PHOTO SOURCES:
(1). https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/1128235/thousands-of-people-are-dying-of-bowel-cancer-because-theyre-ignoring-tell-tale-signs-of-the-killer-disease-say-doctors/#

(2). https://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/media/k2/items/cache/3a87681a8365cb10ceb54d7831ccad1f_XL.jpg?t=1481525510