Early Signs Of Colorectal Cancer You Should Check For

This week, actor James Van Der Beek died just age 48 following a stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis. 

Colorectal cancer is more commonly known as bowel cancer and here in the UK, bowel cancer accounts for 11% of all new cancer cases, with around 19,600 new cases in females and around 24,500 new cases in males every year, according to Cancer Research UK. 

While the condition is most common in elderly adults, bowel cancer cases are rising among young people with Bowel Cancer UK sharing that more than 2,600 people under 50 are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK every year and the number is increasing.

However, it is preventable and as with all cancers, early intervention is key.

Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer 

According to the NHS, the main symptoms of bowel cancer are: 

• 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

The NHS also adds that you should see your GP if you have any symptoms of bowel cancer for 3 weeks or more. 

How to reduce risk of bowel cancer

The UK Health Security (UKHSA) says: “We don’t know what causes most bowel cancers, but we do know that some factors increase your risk of developing the disease. Some of these factors, such as age and genetics, cannot be changed.

“However, research shows that around half (54%) of all bowel cancers could be prevented by making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle.”

These include:

• Reducing red and processed meat
• Eating more fibre (the recommended amount is around 30g a day)
• Drinking 6-8 glasses of hydrating fluids every day. “Water, lower fat milk and sugar-free drinks including tea and coffee all count”
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Be more physically active
• Limit your alcohol intake
• Stopping smoking 

If you are concerned about symptoms, get in touch with your GP as soon as possible.