Detecting bowel cancer early can increase chances of successful treatment, but warning signs usually develop when the disease has reached an advanced stage.
Bowel Cancer UK explains that almost everyone survives the disease if diagnosed at the initial stage. However, this significantly drops as the condition develops.
Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy explained that during stage one “the cancer has grown through the cells lining the bowel wall and into the muscular wall of the intestines but has not spread any further," adding: "Stage one bowel cancer usually has no symptoms".
Around 16,800 Brits die from bowel cancer every year, making it the second biggest cancer killer in the UK - meaning symptom awareness is front and centre.
The doctor said: "Bowel cancer is thought to have a long premalignant phase. It may take 10 years for bowel cancer to grow from a small bowel polyp."
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In stage two of bowel cancer, the tumour has grown through the bowel wall and may have spread to nearby tissue. It has not spread to lymph nodes or distant parts of the body, and some people may not have symptoms at this point.
Symptoms usually strike during stage three and four, including blood in the poo and lower abdominal pain.
According to Dr Lee, symptoms of bowel cancer that often crop up during these stages include:
Blood in the stools
Bleeding from the rectum
A change in bowel habits with diarrhoea or constipation
Lower abdominal pain
A change in the shape of the stool – such as long narrow stools
Excessive gas from the back passage.
The NHS adds that losing weight without trying, feeling very tired for no reason, bloating, and often feeling like you need to poo - even if you have just been - are also red flags to watch out for.
The health body advises anyone who has symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more to contact their GP immediately.
"In stage three bowel cancer, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes but not elsewhere in the body," Dr Lee explained.
"In stage four, it has spread for example to the lungs or the liver."
Dr Lee added: "In stage three or four bowel cancer, patients often have symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, abdominal pain, weight loss and vomiting.
"It can also cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and shortness of breath."
Dr Lee urged: "If you have any worries, see your GP. Don’t be embarrassed. Even your GP sits on the toilet!
"They will be pleased you have come to see them and be more than happy to do all they can to help you. Don’t leave it to chance."
Ways to reduce risk of bowel cancer
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities suggests that half of all bowel cancers could be prevented by lifestyle changes. Reducing the intake of processed and red meat and increasing your consumption of fibre are important dietary interventions.
Other risk factors include:
Being over the age of 50
Drinking alcohol
Smoking
Obesity
A family history of bowel cancer
Inflammatory bowel disease
Polyps in the bowel
Lynch syndrome
Familial adenomatous polyposis.
Keeping active and maintaining a healthy weight could also help prevent the development of cancer.
Dr Lee stated: "Interestingly, dogs can smell bowel cancer. In one study, dogs were as successful as colonoscopy (telescope in the bowel) at detecting bowel cancer.
"Dogs are very sensitive at detecting chemicals produced by the tumour, in the exhaled breath and the poo."
If you have any concerns, it is advised that you speak to your doctor. The sooner a tumour is diagnosed and treated, the better the outlook is likely to be.
