Little-known bowel cancer symptom may be spotted by friends before you do

06 January 2024 , 09:30

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Friends and family may notice before you do (Stock Image) (Image: Getty Images)

The earlier a diagnosis is given for bowel cancer, the better - and there's a little-known symptom that family and friends may be able to spot and tell you about before you do.

Thanks to tireless campaigners such as the late Bowel Babe, and the prominence the 'No Butts' campaign was given on the daytime TV show Lorraine, many people may think they're well-equipped to spot the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. But one symptom that you may not notice in yourself, however, is unexplained weight loss. If you are losing weight without trying to, and experiencing other symptoms, it may be time to book an appointment with your GP.

Bowel Cancer UK explained that weight loss "is less common than some of the other symptoms", but you should "speak to your GP if you have lost weight and you don't know why." Also, if you feel "sick, bloated", or just "not hungry", it may be worth booking an appointment to get to the bottom of why you're experiencing these symptoms.

Bowel Cancer UK also shared that often, people experiencing one or more of the symptoms will not be suffering from bowel cancer, but " if you have any of these symptoms or if things don't feel right, visit your GP."

According to the NHS, symptoms of bowel cancer to look out for are:

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• 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 for no reason

The NHS also recommends that if you've been experiencing these symptoms for "three weeks or more", then it's time to see your GP. If "your poo is black or dark red", or "you have bloody diarrhoea", book an urgent GP appointment, or call 111, and if "you're bleeding non-stop from your bottom", or "there's a lot of blood, for example, the toilet water turns red or you see large blood clots", dial 999.

Danielle Kate Wroe