Bowel cancer screening saves lives
Bowel cancer is cancer found anywhere in the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum. It's one of the most common types of cancer in the UK. It’s sometimes called colorectal cancer.
Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK.
Bowel cancer screening can pick up bowel cancer early, which may mean it's easier to treat.
Knowing the symptoms is important to help spot bowel cancer early. The earlier that it’s found, the more treatable it’s likely to be.
The symptoms of bowel cancer
Bowel cancer can affect anyone, whatever your age, gender, ethnicity or where you live.
Symptoms of bowel cancer may include:
- changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
- needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
- blood in your poo, which may look red or black
- bleeding from your bottom
- often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet
- tummy pain
- a lump in your tummy
- bloating
- losing weight without trying
- feeling very tired or short of breath – these are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer
Having these symptoms doesn’t always mean you have bowel cancer, but it’s still important to find out what’s causing them.
What should I do if I have symptoms of bowel cancer?
If you have any of these symptoms, or if you’re worried about any changes that you notice, visit your GP and ask about an at-home test. It’s important to know that not everyone will have all the symptoms of bowel cancer, or they may get different symptoms at different times. Even if you have just one symptom, your GP will want to see you.
Try not to be embarrassed. The doctor or nurse will be used to talking about these symptoms.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- your poo is black or dark red
- you have bloody diarrhoea
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Bowel cancer screening
The bowel screening programme helps to spot bowel cancer before symptoms start, when it’s most treatable. A screening kit will be sent to you in the post if you’re within the age range (50-74) for the screening programme and registered with a GP.
Bowel cancer screening uses a test called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) to look for blood in a sample of your poo. This could be a sign of bowel cancer.
You collect the sample at home and send it by post to be tested.
It can help find cancer early, and before you have any symptoms, which may mean it's easier to treat.
If you think you're eligible for bowel cancer screening but you've not been invited, or had your test kit, call the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.
