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What is bowel cancer?
It is cancer anywhere in the large bowel: the colon or rectum. It may cause no symptoms at first. Screening can find it early, when it may be easier to treat.1,4
Common symptoms2
1Unusual stool changes: diarrhoea, constipation, or going more or less often.
2Blood in your stool, red or black, or bleeding from your bottom.
3Tummy pain, a lump in your tummy, or bloating.
4Often needing to empty your bowels, even right after going.
5Feeling very tired or short of breath: signs of anaemia (low blood count).
6Losing weight without trying.
Common causes3
- The exact cause is often unknown. Genes, lifestyle and environment can play a part.3
- Being older, smoking or being overweight raises the risk.3
- Having a close relative with bowel cancer raises the risk.3
- Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, bowel polyps, Lynch syndrome or FAP raise the risk.3
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on your age, general health, and the cancer's type and stage. It may include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. It may also include targeted therapy or immunotherapy.4
Steps to lower your risk
- Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.3
- Eat less red and processed meat.3
- Stay active.3
- Lose weight if you are overweight.3
- Stop smoking.3
- Ask your doctor when to start screening and which test suits you.4,5
If you have any of these symptoms, get checked. Don't be embarrassed.
Finding cancer early can make it easier to treat.2
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