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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Mark Smith & Richard Blackledge & Sophie Collins

The bowel cancer 'signs' which Deborah James experienced before she was diagnosed

Deborah James recently confirmed on social media that she has moved to hospice-at-home care as her bowel cancer worsens.

The cancer campaigner was diagnosed back in 2016, and just this week updated her followers saying her “body simply isn’t playing ball.”

The award-winning BBC podcast co-host of 'You, Me and the Big C', said she has managed to raise more than €4.1million for charity through her Bowelbabe fundraiser.

READ MORE: The bowel cancer 'signs' which Deborah James experienced before she was diagnosed

She confirmed the whopping amount raised as she said this "rollercoaster ride is coming to an end very soon".

In January 2017, Deborah took to her blog to write about the symptoms she believed were signs of cancer, According to the Examiner.

Then, at the age of 35, her worst fears became a reality when she was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer.

The bowel cancer 'signs' which Deborah James experienced before she was diagnosed (Instagram/ @bowelbabe)

Speaking about her diagnosis at the time she has explained the shock she experienced as she was also a vegetarian, not overweight and didn't smoke.

Initially, Deborah's blood tests and stool sample did not raise any red flags, leading her GP to suspect she may have irritable bowel syndrome, Wales Online reports.

James wrote: "And yet I was still losing weight, passing blood, going what felt like 100 times per day and feeling shattered.

"I knew there was something wrong with me."

However, the mum-of-two paid privately for a colonoscopy. This led to her starting treatment after an "ugly 5.5cm cancerous, ulcerated tumour" was found.

Around 2,800 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Ireland every year.

It is the second most common of all cancers in men and the third most common of all cancers in women in Ireland.

The bowel cancer 'signs' which Deborah James experienced before she was diagnosed (bowelbabe/Instagram)

However, if bowel cancer is found early, it's easier to treat and there's a better chance of recovery.

So, here is what you need to know about bowel cancer symptoms, treatment options, and when to seek medical attention.

The symptoms of bowel cancer can include:

  • Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your bowel movements
  • A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
  • A pain or lump in your tummy

Most people with these symptoms don't have bowel cancer, and other health problems can cause similar symptoms.

But if you have one or more of these, or if things just don't feel right, you should go to see your GP as soon as possible.

Sometimes a tumour can block the bowel, causing sudden strong pains in the stomach area, bloating and feeling or being sick. This is called a bowel obstruction.

You may also be unable to empty your bowels or pass wind. If you think you have a blocked bowel, see your GP straight away or go to a hospital accident and emergency department.

The highest risk factors are as follows:

  • Aged over 50
  • A strong family history of bowel cancer
  • A history of non-cancerous growths (polyps) in your bowel
  • Longstanding inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • An unhealthy lifestyle

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