Do you know the signs of bowl cancer?
Today sees the start of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the need to spot the signs and take action.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer for both men and women in the UK, and the second most common cause of cancer related death. Whilst highly treatable in the early stages, only 9% of patients are diagnosed within this short time frame, something that a recent survey by Bowel cancer UK attributes to a mix of fear and awkwardness - with 23% of those surveyed noting they would be too scared, and 22% would feel too awkward to visit their doctor should a serious symptom arise.
These worrying figures highlight the significance of identifying symptoms early on, and more importantly taking action when these occur.
Professor Ciclitira, Professor of Gastroenterology at London Bridge Hospital expands: “Spotting the symptoms of bowel cancer is vital in regards to early diagnosis. Most bowel cancers start off as benign growths on the wall of the bowel called polyps. Whilst most polyps are not pre-cancerous and do not produce symptoms, one particular type of polyp, called an adenoma, can become cancerous, and, if left undetected, the cells will multiply to form a tumour.”
The need for early diagnosis calls for greater awareness when it comes to spotting the signs of this cancer forming. Professor Ciclitira adds: “If you notice a change in bowel habit or are suffering from rectal bleeding and are concerned, seek medical advice from your GP. You should also inform your GP if you have a family history of colon cancer in one or more individuals below the age of 50. In addition, the following symptoms must always be given attention.”
KEY SYMPTOMS:
- Rectal bleeding and/or blood in your stool
- A change in bowel habit lasting 3 weeks or more
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unexplained tiredness
- A pain or lump in your abdomen
Whilst many worry about what comes after they have seen their GP, Professor Ciclitira highlights that it should not be something to be feared, in fact, examination is relatively straightforward and should not be seen as daunting.
“Your GP may do an initial rectal examination and then refer you to a specialist for further tests. Usually, a specialist may want to examine the rest of the patient’s bowel with a colonoscopy and this enables them to study the lining of the whole bowel and see if there are any problem areas. From here, the specialist can take photographs and biopsies of the bowel and arrange to have these analysed further. If the patient is then diagnosed with bowel cancer the treatments available include surgical resection followed by chemotherapy or, if indicated, radiotherapy.”
There is a 93% five year survival rate for those diagnosed within the early stages of Bowel Cancer (Dukes Stage A) – a percentage that significantly decreases as time goes by. This urgency relies on spotting the signs and taking the step to see a GP or specialist.
Professor Ciclitira concludes: ”It’s vital that patients shouldn’t feel embarrassed to make that initial appointment to see their GP and discuss their symptoms, because if bowel cancer is present then the sooner it’s diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.”
Tagged in Health bowel cancer