Bowel Cancer Awareness Month 2021

April 20, 2021

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and Lancashire residents are being urged not to delay contacting their GP about concerning symptoms.

Bowel Cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer with more than 16,000 people dying from the disease every year. Bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage, however this drops significantly as the disease develops. It is more common in the over 50s but it can affect people of all ages.

Being aware of the key symptoms and visiting your GP if things don’t feel right can help increase chances of an early diagnosis and could save your life.

The symptoms of bowel cancer can include:

  • Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
  • A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
  • A pain or lump in your tummy

Other health problems can cause similar symptoms but if you have one or more of these, or if things just don’t feel right you are urged to see your GP.

Cancer assessment and treatments are still happening. New innovations such as video consultation, reviewing photographs of skin lesions and arranging urgent tests are helping the recovery process. Novel solutions such as specialised surgical hubs are being utilised to ensure patients receive safe and timely operations for cancer.

Dr Thimmiah Arun, local GP and GP Lead for Cancer at Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said:

“Around 42,000 new cases of bowel cancer are detected in the UK each year. It’s shocking that around half of adults living in the UK (42%) are not aware of any symptoms of bowel cancer and yet it is the UK’s second biggest killer. If you notice any symptoms of bowel cancer such as persistent blood in your poo, persistent change in bowel habits or lower abdominal pain, or if things just don’t feel quite right, please contact your GP for a consultation.”