Would you recognise the most common symptoms of bowel cancer?

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness and a leading charity is urging people to be aware of the symptoms of the disease.

Cancer Care West, a charity dedicated to supporting those whose lives have been affected by cancer diagnosis, is this month highlighting the importance of bowel cancer screening.

Early detection is key as 60% of all cancers diagnosed through screening were at stage one or two, according to a recent report by BowelScreen. This means that they were found at a stage where treatment is likely to be successful.

Prof Maccon Keane, Consultant Oncologist at Galway University Hospital, has urged all those eligible or with symptoms to seek screening.

“The treatments available for bowel cancer depend on the stage and the earlier the stage, the easier the treatment,” he said.

“If caught early enough, the treatment doesn’t require an operation and can be done through the colonoscope.”

Symptoms

Prof Keane outlines the most common symptoms, and urges people so seek advice from their GP if they exhibit any of the warning signs.

“The most common symptom of bowel cancer is the passage of blood in the stool,” said the professor. “If you have even one episode of blood in the stool you should bring it to the attention of your GP. 

“If you notice a significant change in bowel habits that is persistent, then that should be brought to the attention of your GP as well.” 

In Ireland, bowel cancer is the second most common newly diagnosed cancer, and the second most common cause of cancer death, claiming the lives of 1,000 Irish people annually. 

Almost 2,500 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed every year and this figure is set to increase significantly over the next 10 years, due mainly to an increasing and ageing population.

The website cancercarewest.ie has details on screening regardless of age, as well further information on signs and symptoms.