Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with over 42,000 people diagnosed each year. Also known as colorectal cancer, bowel cancer affects the large bowel.
When diagnosed early, bowel cancer is treatable and can be cured. Almost everyone survives bowel cancer when it is diagnosed at its earliest stage. This is why early diagnosis is so important — it saves lives.
In this blog post, we explore the signs of bowel cancer and bowel cancer diagnosis. Read on to learn what signs to look out for and when to see a doctor for a bowel cancer screening.
Bowel cancer symptoms
The following symptoms could be a sign of bowel cancer:
- Blood in your stool or bleeding from your bottom
- An ongoing, unexplained change in your bowel habits
- Watery stool on its own or with constipation
- Loss of appetite and/or unexplained weight loss
- Feeling very tired for no apparent reason
- Looking pale
- Lower abdominal pain or a lump
The lower abdominal pain will likely happen after eating and could be accompanied by bloating and discomfort.
Paleness and tiredness can happen, as bowel cancer can also cause anaemia. This is a lack of red blood cells.
Some bowel cancer symptoms may have other causes. For example, if you have piles (haemorrhoids), this may cause blood in your stool. Changes in your bowel habits or pain in your stomach may be caused by something you have eaten.
To check what is causing your symptoms, you should see a doctor if you have any bowel cancer symptoms for three weeks or more.
Bowel cancer diagnosis
Bowel cancer screening is an effective way to detect bowel cancer in its early stages. The screening process checks for and removes small growths in the bowel called polyps. Left unchecked, these can become cancerous.
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There are three main tests used to diagnose bowel cancer. Your gastroenterologist can advise you which one is best for you, depending on your symptoms. A faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a type of endoscopy called a flexible sigmoidoscopy and another type of endoscopy called a colonoscopy. Let’s explore what each involves and when it might be used:
Faecal immunochemical test (FIT)
Initial screening for bowel cancer is often done using a FIT test (a type of stool test). This can be done at home using a self-test kit. The results are analysed in a lab.
The FIT test has a tube with a small stick in it. You use the stick to take a small faecal sample and then seal the stick back within the tube.
When the sample is analysed in the lab, any blood in your stool will be detected. This may be an early warning sign of bowel cancer. If traces of blood are found, the doctor will carry out further tests to diagnose or rule out bowel cancer.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
If you go to the doctor with bowel cancer symptoms or a FIT test finds traces of blood in your stool, you may be given a flexible sigmoidoscopy. This is a type of endoscopy (a test which uses a small camera on a flexible tube to examine inside your body).
During a flexible sigmoidoscopy, the doctor will examine your rectum and the lower part of the large bowel. They will check for any growths (polyps) which may become cancerous. The rectum and lower part of the bowel is normally the first place bowel cancer may develop.
If the doctor finds any polyps they can take samples and send these for testing.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy can also detect bowel cancer. This is another type of endoscopy that looks at the whole of the large bowel, so it is the most accurate.
If you go to the doctor with bowel cancer symptoms, they may give you a colonoscopy to find out the cause. They can then diagnose or rule out bowel cancer.
The doctor uses a flexible tube called a colonoscope with a camera on the end to examine the lining of the large bowel. The tube is passed through your rectum into your large bowel.
If the doctor finds any polyps, there is a loop of wire within the colonoscope that can be extended to remove them. Samples will be sent to the laboratory for further testing.
Book a bowel cancer screening
If you have had any bowel cancer symptoms for three weeks or more, it is a good idea to book a bowel cancer screening.
Put your bowel health first. Book an appointment today.
