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Five silent bowel cancer signs that experts warn you should not ignore
The Independent • • health
Key Points:
- A taboo around discussing bowel movements is hindering early detection of bowel cancer, a common cancer in the UK, as patients may ignore symptoms that resemble less severe conditions.
- Consultant surgeon Jeremy Clark highlights five key warning signs: blood in stools (bright red or dark), persistent changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bloating, and unexplained weight loss.
- Clark emphasizes that any unusual or persistent symptoms should be reported to a GP promptly, as early investigation can improve treatment outcomes and prognosis.
- The NHS offers Faecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT) to detect blood in stool samples, available both on request and as part of routine screening for people aged 50 to 74 every two years.
- Positive FIT results lead to further investigations like colonoscopy or CT scans to identify polyps or bowel cancer early, increasing the chances of successful treatment.
