BBC newsreader George Alagiah reveals bowel cancer has spread – the five early warning signs you need to know
BBC news reader George Alagiah today revealed his bowel cancer has spread, after he was first diagnosed with the illness in 2014. The 64-year-old was diagnosed with bowel cancer a second time in 2017 and has continued to work through his illness. Bowel cancer is the UK’s second deadliest cancer and claims over 16,000 lives […]
BBC news reader George Alagiah today revealed his bowel cancer has spread, after he was first diagnosed with the illness in 2014.
The 64-year-old was diagnosed with bowel cancer a second time in 2017 and has continued to work through his illness.
Bowel cancer is the UK’s second deadliest cancer and claims over 16,000 lives a year.
This is why The Sun previously launched the No Time 2 Lose campaign to urge people to talk about their number twos, in a bid to beat bowel cancer.
It’s the fourth most common form of the disease in the UK – after breast, prostate and lung.
With that in mind it’s important to recognise the five red flags when it comes to bowel cancer and what you need to look out for.
1. Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
Bleeding from your bottom may not always be a cause for concern and most of the time you may need to just be a little more gentle when cleaning yourself.
There are many reasons why you might be bleeding or be experiencing blood in your poo.
Bright red blood may come from piles or haemorrhoids, conditions you can get over the counter medication for.
What is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer is where the disease starts in the large intestines
It’s also referred to as colon or colorectal cancer, because it can also affect the colon and rectum.
Most bowel cancers develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps.
Not all will turn cancerous, but if your doctor finds any, they will tend to remove them to prevent cancer.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common form of the disease in the UK, with 42,000 people diagnosed every year, according to Bowel Cancer UK.
More than 94 per cent of new cases are in people over the age of 50, while nearly 59 per cent are in the over 70s.
But bowel cancer can affect anyone, of any age with more than 2,500 cases diagnosed in people under the age of 50 each year.
But it could also be bowel cancer as dark red or black blood can come from your stomach or bowel.
It’s best to be on the safe side and if you’re concerned about bleeding you can see your GP.
2. A change in normal toilet habits
If you’re going the loo more often for a number two then it might be cause for concern.
As well as this if your stools are looser than usual you may need to see your GP.
Stools can vary depending on what we eat and drink and if you have recently changed your diet you may find that your toilet habits also change too.
You may also feel as though you’re not going to the toilet enough and have therefore not been able to empty your bowels.
3. Weight loss
Unexplained weight loss, losing weight when you have not actively been on a diet may mean you have bowel cancer.
However this can also be caused by other illnesses such as depression or an over active thyroid gland.
If you have bowel cancer it’s likely that you won’t feel hungry and often feel sick.
You may also experience bloating.
4. Extreme fatigue
We can feel extreme tiredness due to a range of things and this can sometimes mean you have a lack of iron in your body.
Bowel cancer can lead to a lack of iron in the system which may cause anemia which is a lack of red blood cells.
You may feel tired and also looker paler than usual.
5. Lumps and bumps
If you have developed a lump in your stomach or back passage then this may be a sign of bowel cancer.
You should see your GP if your symptoms get worse.
Speaking to The Sun today Genevieve Edwards, chief executive at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer but it’s treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early, so it’s really important to know the symptoms.
“Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo, a persistent and unexplained change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness for no obvious reason and a pain or lump in your tummy, are all symptoms of bowel cancer.
“Most people with these don’t have bowel cancer, but if you experience one or more of them – or if things just don’t feel right – you should visit your doctor straight away.”
Other signs of bowel cancer:
- Gripping pains in the abdomen
- Feeling bloated
- Constipation and being unable to pass wind
- Being sick
- Feeling like you need to strain – like doing a number two – but after you’ve been to the loo
While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools.
But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
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What else could it be?
While many of the above symptoms might stem from bowel cancer, it’s always important to visit your GP if you have concerns.
If things don’t feel right you should always consult a health care practitioner.
Some symptoms can be caused by other common conditions such as:
- Piles
- Anal fissures
- Constipation
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Diarrhoea
- Ulcerative colitis
- Diverticular disease
- Crohn’s disease