Featured In: The Coalville Times, Friday, 28th January, 2021

HEALTH MATTERS WITH DR HANNA ROBBINS

Bowel cancer: spotting the signs, and what to do

WHAT IS BOWEL CANCER?

CANCER happens when cells, the building blocks of our body, change and grow in a fast and chaotic way.

• Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer
• Mostly affects people over the age of 50
• Nearly everyone survives if it is caught early
• Spot the signs and speak with your GP Surgery

WHAT SHOULD I BE LOOKING OUT FOR?

First of all, don’t be embarrassed to talk to us. We are used to seeing and speaking with people about bowel problems and we’ll make it as easy for you as we can.

Speak to your surgery if you have noticed:

• Bleeding from your bottom or blood in your poo
• A change in bowel habit, for no reason
• Weight loss for no reason
• Tiredness for no reason
• Pain or a lump in your belly or bottom
• A change in bowel habit could mean
• looser poo
• needing to go more often
• feeling you’re not going often enough
• feeling as if you haven’t emptied your bowels

Most people with these issues don’t have bowel cancer, but it’s best to get checked out.

WHAT HAPPENS AT MY APPOINTMENT?

• We may phone you first
• We will ask some questions about what you’ve noticed
• We might ask to see you in person for an examination
• We might arrange some blood tests
• We might arrange a poo test to check for hidden blood
• We might refer you to hospital for a check-up

Most people who are referred to hospital don’t have cancer. But taking quick action gives you the best chance of a cure if you do have cancer.

Don’t ever feel that you are wasting our time – we are here to help you and make sure you get the right care.

For more information: Bowel- canceruk.org.uk