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Bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is England’s second most common cancer, with around 33,000 new cases each year. It affects both men and women and is responsible for more than 13,000 deaths annually. Nine out of ten people diagnosed with bowel cancer are aged over 55 and those with a family history are at greater risk.

General awareness of the early symptoms is low, but early detection of bowel cancer makes it more treatable. The key signs and symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in poo or looser poo for three weeks or more.

Bowel cancer facts

Bowel cancer is England’s second most common cancer, with around 33,000 new cases each year
It affects both men and women and is the second biggest cancer killer responsible for more than 13,000 deaths annually
Around 14,600 cases were diagnosed in women and 18,000 in men in England in 2008
Nine out of ten people diagnosed with the disease are aged over 55 and those with a family history are more at risk
Two thirds of bowel cancer develop in the colon, with the remaining third developing in the rectum
It is estimated that 1,700 additional lives could be saved each year if England’s bowel cancer survival rate matched the best in Europe
Over 90 per cent of people who are diagnosed early with bowel cancer survive for at least five years, compared with less than 10 per cent when diagnosed at a late stage of the disease
Bowel cancer is also referred to as colorectal cancer. It includes both cancer of the colon and cancer of the rectum.

Bowel cancer signs and symptoms

If you have blood in your poo or looser poo for three weeks or more, you should visit your GP. In most cases these symptoms won’t be serious, but they should be checked out as they can be signs of bowel cancer. So don’t delay in visiting your GP. If it’s not serious, your mind will be put at rest. But if it is bowel cancer, early diagnosis can make all the difference – a trip to your doctor could save your life.
Other symptoms of bowel cancer include:

A pain or lump in your tummy
Feeling more tired than usual for some time
Unexplained weight loss.

What you can expect from a visit to your GP

Here’s what will happen:

Your GP will examine you. Remember to make a list of your symptoms, so you don’t forget any
Your GP may arrange for you to go for further tests
Your GP will discuss the results with you
Depending on your results, your GP may make an appointment for you to see a consultant
If you are diagnosed with bowel cancer you will be referred to a bowel cancer team, who will tell you what type of treatment will work best for you.

For more information click here to download the national bowel cancer leaflet.