Bowel cancer, a term for cancer that originates in the large bowel - a part of the digestive system that includes the colon and rectum – often manifests as symptoms related to toiletry habits.
Lynn's Bowel Cancer Campaign suggests that changes in the shape of your poo could be an indication of bowel cancer.
However, the NHS health body emphasises that unless these changes are accompanied by one of the key symptoms, it is highly unlikely you have any serious bowel condition.
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 conditions may also cause these symptoms. As the NHS explains, most people with these symptoms do not have bowel cancer.
However, these symptoms should be taken seriously, particularly if the symptoms persist for three weeks or longer, at which point it's then advisable to seek a medical opinion from your doctor.
As with most cancers, if a tumour is suspected from your doctor, investigations will ensue; should a diagnosis be confirmed, treatment can start. The earlier bowel cancer is treated, the better the chances of a full recovery.
What causes bowel cancer?
Research has shown several factors may make you more likely to develop bowel cancer, such as having a family history of the disease.
Other risk factors for developing bowel cancer include having a diet full of red and unprocessed meats, older age, and obesity.
Having one or more risk factors doesn't mean that you will definitely get bowel cancer, but leading a healthy lifestyle can lower a person's risk of the disease.
