Some 2,800 people across Ireland are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year.
Bowel cancer, sometimes called colon or rectal cancer, is a general term for cancer that begins in the large bowel.
It is the second most common of all cancers in men and the third most common of all cancers in women in Ireland, with most people diagnosed over the age of 60, according to the HSE.
The good news is that this diagnosis can be treatable and curable, and Dr Suba M, the director of Science, Health and Wellness at Holland Barrett, has named the “first two” signs of the serious condition.
Due to the location, bowel cancer can present with symptoms that appear when you go to the toilet and being able to identify these symptoms could help spot the cancer early.
Dr Suba has outlined the first signs linked to the disease, as the Express reports.
She said: “Usually, it's kind of blood that's mixed in with the stools that you kind of worry about [and] change in bowel habits.
“These are the first two things that you think about.”
Change in bowel habits can include anything from going more often, with looser stools and sometimes stomach (abdominal) pain, according to the HSE.
The other common bowel cancer sign - loss of weight - “tends to happen much later”, according to the doctor.
According to Dr Suba, if these symptoms are persisting for more than two weeks, then it might be time to visit the doctor.
She added: “It’s not usually just one thing and if you have bowel movements with a bit of blood, don't be alarmed, notice it but then make sure that you follow it up.
“But if you do have any symptoms, definitely get that checked out.
“Not all people who have these symptoms will end up being diagnosed with it [bowel cancer] but it's better to get it checked out.”
According to the HSE, More than 90% of people with bowel cancer have one of the following combinations of symptoms:
- a persistent change in bowel habit. Going more often, with looser stools and sometimes stomach (abdominal) pain.
- blood in your poo especially if mixed through the stool. This makes it unlikely the cause is haemorrhoids (piles).
- stomach pain, discomfort or bloating always brought on by eating. This can sometimes result in a reduction in the amount of food eaten and weight loss.
The health service advises: "Although bowel cancer symptoms are very common, you should talk to your GP if they persist for more than 4 weeks. Most people with these symptoms don't have bowel cancer.
"Talk to your GP if your symptoms persist or keep coming back after stopping treatment. Do this regardless of their severity or your age."
